GB2338004A - Modular wooden frame for constructing buildings - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular construction for erecting timber frames for buildings. Each module comprises four spaced upright load bearing members (4, 6, 8, 10), three of which are arranged in a line and a fourth is positioned on a line transverse to and passing through the centre of the first line. Cross beams (12,16,18) extend between the uprights and are shaped at the uprights to interlock with adjacent beams.

Description

2338004 A FRAME FOR A BUILDING is This invention relates to frames for

buildings and in particular to timber or timber based frames for houses and outbuildings.

Using a timber frame as the main support structure of a building is well known. In the past, this method of construction has been widely used for outbuildings such as barns and cart sheds in which the frame has traditionally been made of oak due to its strength and durability.

An example of a traditional oak framed building is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the frame comprises two rows of spaced apart upright members 1 upstanding from the ground and defining the front 5 and back 7 of the building. A horizontal beam 9, 11 is placed along the top of each row of upright members and is known in the art as the "eaves" beam as it supports the raf ters 13 of the pitched roof 15. The two rows of upright members and eaves beams 9, 11 are tied or strapped together by a series of "tie" beams 17 which sit over the top of the eaves beams. To construct a floor in the roof space 19, floor joists 21 are hung between the tie beams 17 and floor boards 23 are laid on top. The floor joists 21 may be supported in notches 24 formed in the tie beams 17 or may be hung from steel hangers fixed to the tie beams.

In this traditional oak frame construction, the tie beam constitutes a substantial element as it must span the distance between the eaves beams running along the front and the back of the building and provides the only means of supporting an upper floor.

- 2 r, To meet these requirements, the tie beam is formed from a single piece of timber and must have a substantial vertical thickness concomitant with its length to support its own weight. As the availability of very long, straight pieces of oak having a substantial cross-section is limited, the length of available pieces of oak suitable for the tie beams dictates the maximum depth of the building from front to back.

Also due to the shortage of long lengths of oak, the eaves beams are often made from several pieces of timber joined end-to-end at positions between the upright members typically using a scarf joint 25, as for example shown in Figure 2. A similar method of interconnecting eaves beams is used when adding an extension to the side 27, 29 of the building.

Examples of traditional scarf joints are shown in Figures 3A to 3E. As can be seen, such joints can be relatively complex and time consuming to produce, requiring many different cuts. Although these traditional scarf joints attempt to provide a strong and aesthetic means of joining beams end-to-end, the joint still constitutes a weak point along the beam, is still visible and can become weaker and more visible with age due to relative movement, between the beams caused by settling, expansion and contraction.

Although oak framed buildings constructed according to these traditional methods last for many years, the stresses on the joints of the timbers due, for example, to wind loading, can cause the structure to weaken and, with time, eventually collapse. This eventual collapse of the building especially if it is open fronted, is very likely to be caused by wind loading on the rear wall of the building through its open front in the direction of arrow 31 in Figure 1 - 3 resulting in the tie beam at the front of the building lifting off the front eaves beam 9 as indicated in Figure 1 by arrow 33.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved frame for a building which is capable of overcoming the above difficulties associated with traditional frames.

According to the present invention, there is provided a frame for a building comprising a plurality of interconnected modules, each module comprising first, second, third and fourth load bearing upright members, each having a lower end and an upper end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said first, second and third upright members being spaced apart and arranged in that order along a first line transverse to their respective longitudinal axes. said fourth upright member being disposed on a second line extending from said second upright member and substantially transverse to said first line and the longitudinal axis of said fourth upright member, first beam means extending from said first upright member to said third upright member and mounted on the upper end of each of said first, second and third upright members and second beam means extending from said second upright member to said fourth upright member and mounted on the respective upper ends thereof, wherein any of said upright members serves as a said upright member of a further said module and said fourth upright member of one or more of said modules serves as said second or fourth upright member of one or more other said modules. It is to be noted, though beams may be specified as transverse to one another, which is to say at any angle such as may be used in this type of construction, typically the most usual arrangement which is contemplated by the present 4 invention is that in which the beams will be at right angles to one another.

In this construction, the first beam means and the second beam means are arranged to form a "T" (in plan view) with the end of the stem of the 'T" distal the cross of the "T" of one module being positioned adjacent either end of the stem of the "T" of another module. Advantageously, each module is a selfsupporting unit to which another module is joined by sharing one of its upright members. Advantageously, the first and second beam means of a module can comprise discrete beam members which need only span the distance between two adjacent upright members thereby eliminating the need for exceptionally long is lengths of timber as for example required for the tie beam in the traditional construction. Furthermore, as each module is a self- supporting unit, modules can be added as necessary to construct a frame of virtually any size. Advantageously, this modular system can also considerably reduce the time needed to design the frame for a building of a given shape and provides flexibility to extend the building at a later stage in any direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure forming part of the frame for a building comprising a load bearing upright member having a lower end and an upper end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, first, second and third beams each mounted on said upper end and extending therefrom transverse to said upright member and in three respective different radial directions relative to said axis and wherein said beams are recessed at the junction of said beams above said upright member such that at least one beam overlaps another beam and the upper surface of each of said beams lie substantially in the same plane.

Examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a part sectional view through the side of an example of a simple building constructed in accordance with the prior art;

Figure 2 shows a part sectional view of the front of the building shown in Figure 1; Figures 3A to 3E show examples of scarf joints; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a module for use in an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a plan of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a plan of the present invention; Figures 9A to 9D show a perspective view of a joint used in the frame of an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 10A to 10D to show an example of another joint used in the frame of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 shows a sectional view through a building having a frame constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 shows a side elevation of a building shown in Figure 12; Figure 14 shows a front elevation of the building shown in Figure 12; view of a third embodiment view of a fourth embodiment Figure 15 shows a plan view of part of the frame used to construct the ground floor of the building shown in Figure 12; Figure 16 shows a plan view of the position of the upright members used in the construction of the first floor in the building of Figure 12; Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the frame used in the construction of the building shown in Figure 12; Figure 18 shows an embodiment of a frame constructed in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 4 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a basic module for use in the construction of a frame. The module 2 comprises first, second, third and fourth load bearing upright members 4, 6, 8 and 10 of which the first. second and third upright members 4, 6, 8 are spaced apart and arranged in that order along a line. The fourth upright member 10 is disposed on a line extending from the second upright member 6 and substantially at right angles to the line along which the first, second and third upright members are disposed. The module 2 further comprises a first beam means 12 extending from the first upright member 4 to the third upright member 8 and mounted on the upper end of each of the first, second and third upright members 4, 6, 8, and a second beam means 18 extending from the second upright member 6 to the fourth upright member 10 and mounted on the respective upper ends thereof. The first beam means 12 may comprise two separate beams 14, 16 each having an end which terminates above the end of the second upright member 6. The other end of a beam 14, 16 may terminate above is the adjacent upright member 4, 8 to enable a beam of an adjacent module also to be mounted on the upper end of the upright member 4, 8. Alternatively, the end of a beam 14, 16 may terminate beyond but near to the upper end of an upright member 4, 8, for example if the upright member 4, 8 defines a corner or an end of the building.

Alternatively, a beam 14, 16 which terminates above the intermediate upright member 6 may extend beyond the adjacent upright member 4, 8 to the intermediate upright member 6 of the next module. A beam 14, 16 may terminate above the upper end of the intermediate upright of the next module, for example to allow a beam of another module also to be mounted on the upper end of that module. Alternatively, a beam 14, 16 may extend just beyond the intermediate upright of the next module, for example if that intermediate upright member defines a corner or an end position of the building.

Alternatively, the beam means 12 may comprise a single unitary member which extends between the first upright member 4 and the third upright member 8. Either end of the unitary beam 12 may terminate above the upper end of one or both upright members 4, 8 or may extend just beyond one or both upright members 4, 8, for example if the respective upright member 4, 8 defines a corner or end position of the building.

In one embodiment, the second beam means 18 may have an end which terminates above the upper end of the second upright member 6, for example in such a way that allows a beam of another module also to be mounted on the upper end of the second upright member 6. Alternatively, the end of the second beam means 18 may terminate just beyond the second upright member 6, for example if the second upright member 6 defines an end position of the building. The other end of the second beam means 18 may terminate above the upper end of the fourth upright member 10 in such a way as to allow a beam of an adjacent module also to be mounted on the upper end of the fourth upright member 10. Alternatively, the other end of the second beam means 18 may terminate just beyond the fourth upright member 10, for example if the fourth upright member 10 of the module defines an end position of the building.

Alternatively, the second beam means 18 may extend beyond the fourth upright member 10 to an upright member of the next module so that its other end terminates above that upright member. In this embodiment, the second beam means also forms one of the beams of an adjacent module.

In all of the above arrangements, one module connects to the next module by sharing a common upright member and either by having their respective beams both terminating above the shared upright member or by sharing a common beam which extends either side of the shared upright member to the next upright member of each module. A particular advantage of this arrangement is that the beams of any one module may span between just two upright members and a beam of any one module need span no more than three upright members. Therefore, this construction only requires relatively short timbers which are much more readily available than longer timbers, are cheaper and more easily handled.

Another feature of this modular arrangement is that the joints between the beam members, whether positioned end-to-end or mutually transverse, are situated above the upper end of each upright member and generally, each upright member supports two beams running transverse to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the portion of the beams above each upright member overlap and have a recess such that the upper surface of the first and second beam means of each module lie substantially in the same plane. Advantageously, this arrangement provides a network of beams whose upper surfaces are all coplanar thereby providing a conveniently flat substrate. For example, in this arrangement the floor joists may be laid across the beams in any direction, in contrast to the prior art, where the floor joists have to be arranged between and transverse to the tie beams. Advantageously, in one embodiment, the floor joists may be positioned between the beams with their upper surfaces flush with the upper surfaces of the is beams, thereby reducing the height of the floor as compared to the prior art and potentially increasing the available height in the space above, for example where this space is defined by a pitched roof.

Alternatively, the floor joists may be laid across the top of the beams.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a f irst embodiment of the present invention comprising two modules 20, 22 in which the modules are arranged so that the fourth upright member 10 of the first module 20 corresponds to the second upright member 6 of the second module 22. In this arrangement, the second beam means 18 of each module is arranged in a line, end-to-end, and the second beam means 18 of both modules may together comprise a unitary beam extending from the second upright member of the first module 20 to the fourth upright member 10 of the second module 22. Alternatively, the second beam means 18 of each module may comprise a separate beam each having an end which terminates above the upper end of the common upright member 24.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention comprising two modules 20, 22 in which the two modules are connected by sharing their respective fourth upright members 10. Again, as for the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the second beam means 18 of both modules 20, 22 may together comprise a unitary beam extending across the upright member 10 to the respective second upright members 6 of each module 20, 22 or, alternatively, the second beam means 18 of each module may comprise a separate beam having an end which terminates above the end of the common fourth upright member 10.

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention comprising two modules 20, 22, whose first beam means 12 are substantially perpendicular to one another, the modules being joined at two 'nodes" 19, 21 by sharing their respective fourth upright members 10 and by sharing the first upright member of the first module 20 and the third upright member 8 of the second module 22. The second beam means 18 of each module may have an end which terminates above the upper end of the fourth upright member, although in the preferred arrangement, at least one or both of the second beam means 18 extends beyond the fourth upright member to an upright member of another module to which it is connected. This arrangement provides a stronger joint between the two second beam means 18 at their respective fourth upright member 10 as compared to a joint where the ends of three or four beams terminate above the upright member.

Figure 8 shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprising four interconnected modules 20, 22, 26 and 28. Each module is connected to the others by sharing its first upright member with the third upright member of an adjacent module and all four modules share their respective fourth upright members 10. The first beam means of each module is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first beam means of an adjacent module to form a rectangular ring and the respective second beam means 18 are all directed to a common point def ined by the upper end of the fourth respective upright member within the ring. In this particular arrangement, the first beam means 30, 32 of two of the opposed modules each comprises a single unitary beam spanning the f irst, second and third upright members 4, 6, 8. The first beam means 34, 36 of the other adjacent modules 20, 26 comprises two separate beams 14, 16 each having an end which terminates above the second upright member of each module. The second beam means 18 of the modules 20, 26 together comprise a unitary beam extending from the second upright member of one module 20 to the second upright member 26 of the other, opposite module 26. The second beam means 18 of the adjacent modules 22, 28 each comprise separate beam members 38, 40 having an end which terminates above the common upright member 10.

The arrangement shown in Figure 8 illustrates a number of benefits of the modular frame. One of these benefits is that the structure need only comprise beams of modest length. For example, in the longest dimension, the first beam means 34, 36 of modules 20, 26 and the second beam means of modules 22 and 28 comprise separate beam members which only span between two upright members, e.g. the second and fourth upright member of each module in the case of the second beam means. In the shorter dimension of the structure, the first beam means 30, 32 of modules 22 and 28 comprise a single beam member and the second beam means of modules 20, 26 together also comprise a - 12 single beam member. The use of single beam members spanning three upright members reduces the number of beams required to form the structure and also assists in strengthening the structure. This use of double and single span beams allows a structure to be produced in which the ends of only two beams terminate above any one upright member.

Figures 9A to 9D illustrate an example of a preferred embodiment of a joint between three beams and an upright member for use in constructing a modular frame. Referring to Figures 9A to 9D, an upright member 50 has an upper end 52 from which protrudes a tenon 54, which may be formed separately or integrally with the upright member 50. A first beam member 56 has a first recess 58 formed near the end thereof and extending downwards from its upper surface 60. Second and third recesses 62, 64 extending inwardly from either side are also formed in and near the end of the first beam member 56. A slot (not shown) is formed in the underside of the first beam member for receiving the tenon 54. The combination of the tenon and slot provides a means of locating the first beam member on the upper end of the upright member 50. Alternative locating means may be provided or any locating means may be omitted altogether.

Two further beams 66, 68 each have a recess 70, 72 formed in the ends thereof which extends upwardly from their lower surfaces 74, 76. These recesses 70, 72 provide each of the second and third beam members with an upper end portion 78, 80 which is received in the recess 58 of the first beam member 56. The lower end portion 82, 84 of the first and second beam members 66, 68 are received in the second and third recesses 62, 64 of the first beam member 56.

In joining the three beam members together, the first beam member 56 is mounted on the upright member 50, as shown in Figure 9B, and is located on the upright member by means of the tenon and slot. The second and third beam members are each located in the recesses formed in the top and in the sides of the first beam member as shown in Figure 9C to form a structure as shown in Figure 9D. Advantageously, the second and third recesses 62, 64 in the sides of the first beam member 56 expose a portion 86 of the upper end of the upright member 50 for directly supporting the first and second beams at their lower surfaces 74, 76. Although the side recesses 62, 64 are optional, this feature increases the strength of the joint by is enabling the sheer stress acting downwards at the end of the second and third beams to be borne over the full vertical depth of the beam. Advantageously, the side recesses 62, 64 in the first beam also assist in concealing the joint between each of the second and third beam members with the first beam member and reduce the possibility of any gap between the joints which develops over time becoming visible.

As can be seen in Figure 9D, the joint results in a structure in which the upper surfaces of the beams running in both directions are substantially coplanar. This feature can be readily achieved by using beams having the same vertical dimensions. Preferably, the upright members have a square cross-section and advantageously, the beams may also have a square cross-section and the lateral dimensions of the beam members may be substantially equal to those of the upright members. Thus, the modular frame may conveniently be fabricated from timbers all having the same cross-section, although in certain applications, it may be necessary to vary the dimensions of 14 - is individual beams and upright members.

The joint shown in Figures 9A to 9D may, for example be used in the joint of the beams above the second upright member 6 of the modules shown in Figures 4 to 8. As can be appreciated, this joint can be easily formed, requiring only a few cuts to each timber.

Another substantial advantage of this arrangement is that, if the second and third beam members 66, 68 in Figure 9 perform the function of an eaves beam, i.e. support the rafters of a pitched roof, and the first beam member 56 performs the function of a tie beam, then the tie beam is effectively positioned below the eaves beam in contrast to the prior art, in which the tie beam is placed over the top of the eaves beam. Advantageously, in this arrangement, the tie beam is held down by the eaves beam and also by the weight of the roof. Thus the tie beam is effectively locked in place between the eaves beam and upright member which provides a much stronger way of retaining the tie beam in comparison with the prior art. In particular, the present arrangement greatly reduces the risk of the tie beam becoming dislodged by virtue of the substantial vertical loading applied to the tie beam at the joint.

A brace member 90, 92, 94 may be added between any one or more of the beams and the upright member to provide an additional means of securing the beams to the upright member, and to prevent relative rotation between the beams and upright members about the joint. Moreover, the opposed braces 90, 92 resist any tension along the second and third beams, preventing the beams from being pulled apart.

Figures 10A to 10D show another example of a preferred joint for use in constructing a modular is - frame and is similar to that shown in Figures 9A to 9D except that the first beam member 60 extends beyond the upright member 50 for mounting on another upright member (not shown). Thus, in this embodiment, the first beam member 60 is a unitary member which spans three upright members. Although the first beam 60 may comprise two separate beam members having ends which terminate above the upright member 50, in the preferred arrangement, where an upright member supports a four-way beam arrangement in which the beams extend from the upright member to each of four other upright members, at least one of the oppositely directed beams comprises a unitary beam member so that a maximum of two beams have ends which terminate above the upright member. The junction above the upright member shown in Figures 10A to 10D is similar to that shown in Figures 9A to 9D and therefore the description of the junction shown in Figures 9A to 9D applies equally well to that shown in Figures 10A to 10D. The junction shown in Figures 10A to 10D may for example be applied to the four-way junctions above the fourth upright member 10 shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8.

A brace 96, 98 may be added between the upright member and any one or more of the beams to provide the same function as the braces described above with reference to Figures 9A to 9D.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of part of a modular frame of an embodiment of the present invention. The modular frame comprises a number of modules 51, 53, 54 denoted at the nodes between their respective first beam means 12 and their second beam means 18 above the respective second upright members 6. The first beam means 12 of each of the first and third modules 51, 55 comprises separate beam members each having an end which terminates above their - 16 respective second upright members 6. On the other hand, the f irst beam means of the second module 53 comprises a single unitary beam which spans the first, second and third upright members 4, 6, 8 of the module.

The second beam means 18 of the module 51 has an end which terminates just beyond its second upright member 6 and is joined with the beam members constituting the first beam means 12 using a joint as shown in Figures 9A to 9D. The other end of the second beam means 18 of the first module 51 terminates above its fourth upright member 10 which corresponds to the second upright member of the second module 53. The second beam means of the second module 53 extends beyond its fourth upright member 10 also to form the second beam means 18 of the third module 55. The junction between the crossed beams above the second upright members of each of the second and third modules may have a form as shown in Figure 10.

The embodiment shown in Figure 11 illustrates how a frame can be formed using only single and double span beams and a single form of joint to construct a frame which can be extended indefinitely in any direction. The frame may also be extended upwards to provide additional storeys by mounting one frame above another, for example as shown in Figure 11. In this embodiment, upright members 4a, 6a of an upper storey are placed directly above upright members of the lower frame and are joined and spaced apart at their lower ends by a sole plate 41 which is mounted along a beam of the lower module. The modular frame of the upper storey may be formed in the same way as the lower storey.

An example of a two storey building formed using a modular frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 12 to 17. Figure 12 shows a part-sectional view through a side elevation of the building which comprises a lower floor 100, an upper floor 102 and a pitched roof 104 which is supported by eaves beams 106, 108 of both the upper and lower modular frames 110, 112. As shown in Figure 15, the lower frame 112 is constructed using a number of double and single span beams running from the front 114 to the back 116 of the building. These beams run in the same direction as the tie beams in traditional timber frame buildings but unlike the traditional tie beams which must be formed from a single piece of timber, the modular construction allows the "tie beam" to be formed from a number of separate beams with the advantage that the maximum depth of the building is not dictated by the maximum length of available timber. The individual beams forming the tie beam can be mounted end-to-end using a joint similar to that shown in Figures 9 and 10. In apreferred embodiment, the beams may be secured by a brace member 118 fastened between the beam and an upright member, for example as shown in Figure 12. Surprisingly, it has been found that such a brace can be sufficient to support the tension along the tie beam produced by the pitched roof.

Figure 18 shows a frame of building incorporating a further aspect of the present invention. In this embodiment, the frame includes at least one tie beam placed at an intermediate position between the ends 203, 205 of the building which is mounted on two upright members 207, 209 and underneath the eaves beams 211, 213 which are at right angles thereto. This arrangement constitutes a significant departure from the prior art arrangement in which the tie beam is placed over the eaves beam, and solves the problem

18 of preventing the tie beam detaching itself from the structure caused by various stresses, such as wind loading, over time. Advantageously, the junction between the eaves beam and tie beam may be similar to that shown in Figure 9 so that the upper surfaces of the eaves beam and tie beams are substantially coplanar, allowing any floor joists to be arranged in any direction.

The modular frame may be made from any suitable material but is particularly suited to being formed from timber or timber based materials. For example, the frame may be made from solid wood, for example hardwood such as oak or softwood such as pine or from timber based composite materials.

The spacing between the second upright member and the first, third and fourth upright members of each module can be different from one another or two or more such spacings can be equal. The lateral dimensions of individual modules within a frame may also differ from one another.

Modifications to embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (40)

1. CLAIMS is 1. A frame for a building comprising a plurality of

   interconnected modules, each module comprising first, second, third and fourth load bearing upright members, each having a lower end and an upper end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said first, second and third upright members being spaced apart and arranged in that order along a first line transverse to their respective longitudinal axes, said fourth upright member being disposed on a second line extending from said second upright member and substantially transverse to said first line and the longitudinal axis of said fourth upright member, first beam means extending from said first upright member to said third upright member and mounted on the upper end of each of said first, second and third upright members and second beam means extending from said second upright member to said fourth upright member and mounted on the respective upper ends thereof, wherein any of said upright members serves as a said upright member of a further said module and said fourth upright member of one or more of said modules serves as said second or fourth upright member of one or more other said modules.
2. 2. A frame as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said f irst beam means of one or more of said modules comprises a unitary body.
3. 3. A frame as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said first beam means of one or more of said modules comprises a first discrete beam member extending from said first upright member to said second upright member and a second discrete beam member extending - 20 from said second upright member to said third upright member.
4. 4. A frame as claimed in Claim 3, wherein at least one of said second beam means, said first discrete beam member and said second discrete beam member of one or more of said modules extends to a said second upright member of an adjacent said module thereby constituting part of said first beam means or said second beam means of said adjacent module.
5. 5. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first beam means of one or more of said modules includes a discrete beam member having a first is end which terminates above the upper end of said second upright member and a second end which terminates above or near the upper end of said first or third upright member.
6. 6. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second beam means of one or more of said modules comprises a discrete beam member having a first end which terminates above the upper end of said fourth upright member and a second end which terminates above or near the upper end of said second upright member.
7. 7. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spacing between the second upright member and any one of said first, third and fourth upright members is substantially equal to the spacing between the second upright member and any one of said first, third and fourth upright members of an adjacent module.

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8. 8. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first beam means of at least one module is directed either substantially parallel to or perpendicular to the first beam means of another module to which it is connected.
9. 9. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the portions of said first and second beam means above said second upright member of one or more of said modules are arranged such that the upper surface of said first and second beam means lie in substantially the same plane.
10. 10. A frame comprising a plurality of interconnected modules as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the upper surface of each of said first and second beam means lies substantially in the same plane.
11. 11. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least two of said modules are arranged to share two upright members such that the first upright member of one of said modules is the third upright member of an adjacent module and said fourth upright member of said one module is the f ourth upright member of said adjacent module.
12. 12. A frame as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said first beam means and said second beam means of said at least two modules are arranged such that the upper surfaces thereof all lie in substantially the same plane.
13. 13. A frame as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, comprising first, second, third and fourth said modules, wherein said fourth upright member is shared between said first, second, third and fourth modules and the first upright member of one module constitutes the third upright member of the adjacent module.
14. 14. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the portion of said first beam means and the portion of said second beam means above said second upright member overlaps the other said portion.
15. 15. A frame as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said portions each contain a recess such that one recessed portion receives the other recessed portion.
16. 16. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second beam means and the first, second, third and fourth upright members comprise timber.
17. 17. A structure forming part of the frame for a building comprising a load bearing upright member having a lower end and an upper end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, first, second and third beams each mounted on said upper end and extending therefrom transverse to said upright member and in three respective different radial directions relative to said axis and wherein said beams are recessed at the junction of said beams above said upright member such that at least one beam overlaps another beam and the upper surface of each of said beams lie substantially in the same plane.
18. 18. A structure as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said first and second beams extend from said upright member in substantially opposite directions.

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19. 19. A structure as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said first and second beams together comprise a unitary body.
20. 20. A structure as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said first and second beams each comprise discrete beam members.
21. 21. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 20, wherein said third beam extends in a radial direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which at least one of said first and second beams extends.
22. 22. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 21, wherein the portion of said first and second beams above said upper end contains a first recess extending downwards from the upper surface thereof, and the portion of said third beam above said upper end contains a second recess extending upwards from the lower surface thereof and wherein the recessed portion of said third beam is mounted in the recessed portion of said first and second beams.
23. 23. A structure as claimed in Claim 22, wherein said first recess extends from one side of said first and second beams to the other.
24. 24. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 23, wherein the portion of said first and second beams above said upper end has a recess extending inwards from one or both sides of said portion such that a portion of said third beam can abut against a portion of said upper end.
25. 25. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 21, wherein the portion of said third beam above said upper end contains a recess extending downwards from the upper surface thereof and the portion of said first and second beams above said upper end has a recess extending upwards from the lower surface thereof and wherein the recessed portion of said first and second beams is received in the recessed portion of said third beam.
26. 26. A structure as claimed in Claim 25, wherein said third beam contains a further recess extending inwardly from one or both sides thereof arranged such that a portion of said first and/or said second beam is above said upper end can abut against a portion of said upper end.
27. 27. A structure as claimed in Claim 25 or 26, wherein said frame is arranged to support a pitched roof and rafters of the roof are mounted on said first and second beams.
28. 28. A structure as claimed in Claim 27, wherein said third beam extends transverse to said first and second beams.
29. 29. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 28, wherein said third beam comprises an end portion extending beyond the upper end of said upright member and which engages at least one of said first and second beams to prevent movement thereof in the direction along said third beam towards said end portion.
30. 30. A structure as claimed in Claim 29, wherein said end portion comprises a discrete member removably attached to said third beam and/or said upright member.
31. 31. A structure as claimed in Claim 30, wherein said end portion includes a part which extends above said upper end and below a recessed portion of at least one of said first and second beams.
32. 32. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 31, further comprising a fourth beam mounted on said upper end and extending therefrom transverse to said upright member and in a radial direction different from said first, second and third beams and such that the upper surface of said fourth beam lies substantially in said plane.
33. 33. A structure as claimed in Claim 32, wherein said third and fourth beams extend substantially in opposite directions.
34. 34. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 33, further comprising a second upright member spaced apart from said first upright member and having an upper end and a lower end and a second longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the end of one of said first, second and third beams mounted on the upper end of said second upright member and a fourth and fifth beams mounted on the upper end of said second upright member and each extending transverse to said second upright member and in different radial directions relative to said second axis and wherein the beams are recessed at the junction of the beams above said second upright member such that at least one of said beams overlaps another said beam and the upper surface 26 - of each of the beams mounted on said second upright member lies substantially in the same plane.
35. 35. A structure as claimed in Claim 34, wherein said fourth and fifth beams extend in substantially opposite directions.
36. 36. A structure as claimed in Claim 35, wherein said fourth and fifth beams together comprise a unitary body.
37. 37. A structure as claimed in Claim 34 or 35, wherein said fourth and fifth beams each comprise discrete beam members.

    is
38. 38. A structure as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 37, wherein the upright member and said first, second and third beams comprise timber or a timber based material.
39. 39. A frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated by any one of Figures 3 to 12 and 15 to 18.
40. 40. A structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated by any one of Figures 3 to 12 and 15 to 18.