GB2351510A

GB2351510A - Portable structure

Info

Publication number: GB2351510A
Application number: GB0009639A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Wood Ratcliffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 2000-04-20
Publication date: 2001-01-03
Also published as: GB9912124D0; GB0009639D0

Abstract

A portable structure 2 includes at least two inverted 'U' shaped elements 4a and 4b rigidly spaced apart by releasable spacer bar(s) 6a. The structure can be readily assembled and covered with sheeting, for instance to protect workers as they move along a row of plants.

Description

2351510 PORTABLE STRUCTURES This application relates to portable

structures, and in particular to portable structures adapted for providing 5 cover to longitudinally extending objects or areas.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable structure for covering longitudinal areas or objects. The structure includes at least two inverted substantially "U" shaped elements and at least one spacer bar, each end of each spacer bar being adapted to releasably engage with a portion of a "U" shaped element and, when each end is engaged with a "U" shaped element hold the engaged "U" shaped elements rigidly spaced apart from each other, and in which each "U" shaped element may be engaged by two or more spacer bars extending in opposite directions.

In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention the "U" shaped elements are of substantially constant cross section and thus the spacer bars may engage with the "U" shaped elements at any point along the "U" shaped element.

It is preferred that the spacer bars grip the "U" shaped elements sufficiently rigidly that when there are two or more "U,, shaped elements and at least two spacer bars extending between each of the "U" shaped elements the combined structure can be lifted and moved relative to the ground.

t Preferably the spacer bars and "U" shaped elements are all of an aluminium tubing, most preferably this is 211 outside diameter (50. 8mm)tubing.

The portable structure of the present invention can be supplied in the form of a kit including at least two substantially "U" shaped elements and at least one spacer bar. Preferably, the minimum number of spacer bars in the kit is one less than the number of "U" shaped elements.

The kit may also include sheeting material for covering the structure once erected.

According to the present invention there is also provided a method of constructing a portable structure for covering longitudinal areas or objects. The method includes the following steps:

i. a pair of individuals each take a substantially "U" shaped element and place them in an inverted position; ii. each individual takes an end of a spacer bar and releasably engages it with a portion of the "U" shaped element held by that individual; and iii. step (ii) is repeated until the desired number of spacer bars extend between the "U" shaped elements.

If a longer structure is required, the following further steps are taken:

iv. a further substantially "U" shaped element is taken and placed in an inverted position; V. one individual stands adjacent to the end of the structure that is already constructed and the other with the element of step (iv); vi. each individual takes an end of a spacer bar and releasably engages it with a portion of the "U" shaped element held by that individual; vii. step (vi) is repeated until the desired number of spacer bars extend between the "U" shaped elements being worked on; and viii. steps (iv) to (vii) are repeated until the desired length of structure is obtained.

If all the spacer bars in the structure are of equal length then a substantially straight structure will be produced.

If it is desired that the structure turns a corner, for instance if the structure is being used to protect a wall from frost and that wall has a corner built into it, then use of different length spacer bars attached to the downwardly extending legs of the "U" shaped elements can cause a bend or corner to be formed in the structure.

The structure once constructed is preferably covered by a known, lightweight, sheeting material. Such sheeting material may, for example, be MONARFLEX (Trade Mark),a low density polyethylene reinforced with polyester yarn.

To provide stability to the structure it is preferable that the free end of each leg of the "U" shaped element be provided with means that allow anchorage of the structure to the surface upon which it is supported. Such anchorage means can take the form of apertures through which stakes may be passed and driven into the support surface or, for example, wire baskets into which massive material may be placed. Use of such anchorage means is particularly 5 desirable in locations where there is significant wind.

It is a particular benefit of the present invention that the structure may be constructed by a very small number of unskilled personnel and subsequently transported by a small number of personnel into the position that it is needed. This allows the structure to provide protection to workmen whilst they work along a longitudinal object such as a wall, trench or a row of plants such as strawberries. As the workmen work along the object, they can move the is structure with them.

The structure can be carried by the workmen to move it from position to position. Alternatively, the free end of each stem of the "U" shaped element can be fitted with a rolling means such as a wheel. The structure can then be rolled from position to position. Preferably the rolling means allows movement in any direction on the surface upon which the structure is situated. A castor wheel is appropriate for this purpose.

In a further alternative, the free end of each stem of the "U" shaped element can be fitted with means to permit sliding of the end of the stem over the surface upon which the structure is situated. The structure can then be slid from position to position. Such a means may consist of a metal plate, the edges of which are upwardly inclined to the surface on which they are placed when mounted on the end of a stem of the "U" shaped element. In both these alternatives, the fitting of the means for helping movement of the structure may be either permanent or temporary and reversible.

The present invention will be further described and explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a structure according to the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the structure of f igure 1.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 a portable structure (2) is constructed from three inverted "U" shaped elements (4A, 4B, 4C) held rigidly apart from each other by spacer bars (6A, 6B). Spacer bars (6A, 6B) releasably grip elements (4A,4B, 4C)so as to provide a rigid framework as shown. The means by which bars (6A, 6B) grip elements (4A, 4B, 4C) may be any known gripping means. Such means include resiliently deformable clips, or clamps tightened with a screw thread.

If a structure longer than that shown in figures 1 and 2 is desired, further bars (6) are attached an element (4A or 4C) at one end of the structure. The free ends of bars (6) are then engaged with a further element (4).

When the structure is of sufficient length it may be covered with a lightweight sheeting material so as to provide the inside of the structure with weather protection. Preferably that sheeting material is provided with attachment points at the same longitudinal spacing as elements (4). The sheeting can then be tied to elements (4) to keep the sheeting in position.

The free ends of elements (4) are preferably provided with some means (not shown) to allow anchorage of structure (2) to the ground so as to provide stability to structure (2).

In use two operatives will construct the structure (2) by firstly taking elements (4A) and (4B) and attaching spacer bars (GA) between elements (4A) and (4B). The operatives will then take element (4C) and attached spacer bars (6B) between element (4B) and (4C). Once structure (2) has been so constructed two or more operatives may lift structure (2) and carry it to the position desired. A lightweight sheet cladding to structure (2) can be attached to the structure either upon its completion or once it is in position.

Once the structure (2) is in position the ground anchorage means, not shown, may be employed so as to anchor the structure in position. When the structure is no longer required in its current position the ground anchorage means are released or removed and structure (2) carried to the next position in which it is required.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A portable structure comprising at least two inverted

substantially "U" shaped elements and at least one spacer bar, each end of each spacer bar being adapted to releasably engage with a portion of a "U" shaped element and, when each end is engaged with a "U" 10 shaped element hold the engaged "U- shaped elements rigidly spaced apart from each other, and in which each "U" shaped element may be engaged by two or more spacer bars extending in opposite directions.

is
2. A portable structure according to claim 1 in which the "U" shaped elements are of substantiallyconstant cross section.
3. A portable structure according to claim 1 or 2 in which the spacer bars grip the "U" shaped elements sufficiently rigidly that when there are two or more "U" shaped elements and at least two spacer bars extending between each of the "U" shaped elements the combined structure can be lifted and moved relative to the ground.
4. A portable structure according to any preceding claims in which the spacer bars and "U" shaped elements are all aluminium tubing.
5. A portable structure according to any preceding claim in which the spacer bars employed in the structure are not all of equal length.
6. A portable structure according to any preceding claim in which the structure is preferably covered by a sheeting material.
7. A portable structure according to any preceding claim in which the free end of at least one leg of at least one "U" shaped element is provided with anchorage means suitable for anchorage of the structure to the surface upon which it is supported.
8. A portable structure according to claim 7 in which the anchorage means are apertures through which stakes may be passed and driven into the support surface.
9. A portable structure according to claim 7 in which the anchorage means are wire baskets into which massive material may be placed.
10. A portable structure according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the free end of each stem of the "U" shaped element can be fitted with a rolling means.
11. A portable structure according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the free end of each stem of the "U" shaped element can be fitted with means to permit sliding of the end of the stem over the surface upon which the -10structure is situated.
12. A kit for a portable structure including at least two substantially "U" shaped elements and at least one 5 spacer bar.
13. A kit according to claim 12 in which the minimum number of spacer bars in the kit is one less than the number of "U" shaped elements.
14. A kit according to claim 12 or 13 in which the kit may also include sheeting material for covering the structure once erected.

is
15. A method of constructing a portable structure for covering longitudinal areas or objects including the following steps:

i. a pair of individuals each take a substantially "U" shaped element and place them in an inverted position; ii. each individual takes an end of a spacer bar and releasably engages it with a portion of the "U" shaped element held by that individual; and iii. step (ii) is repeated until the desired number of spacer bars extend between the "U" shaped elements.
16. A method according to claim 15, further including the steps:

iv. a further substantially "U" shaped element is taken and placed in an inverted position; V. one individual stands adjacent to the end of the structure that is already constructed and the other with the element of step (iv); vi. each individual takes an end of a spacer bar and releasably engages it with a portion of the "U" shaped element held by that individual; vii. step (vi) is repeated until the desired number of spacer bars extend between the "U" shaped elements being worked on; and viii. steps (iv) to (vii) are repeated until the desired length of structure is obtained.
17. A portable structure as herein described, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2.