Prefabricated wall structure system

Abstract

A structure used in bus shelters, smoking shelters, etc, has hollow, extruded post sections to support the roof, each post having at least one substantially smooth face, at least one adjoining face having a projecting panel receiver section along its length, to receive a glazing panel. Glazing snap members secure the glazing panel to the glazing receiver, with snap-retention rib projections extending parallel with the glazing receiver section, removably securing the glazing snap. The two-element system provides longitudinally reversible corner posts and a mid-post, with free sides that may be curved, and radiused corners, as are the glazing receiver sections and the glazing snap. The latter two have recesses for extruded rubber seals. The corner and mid-post may be oriented with the glazing snaps located within the structure, for unrestricted installation and/or removal of the glazing panels from inside the structure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable (N/A)

STATEMENT RE FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(N/A)

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

(N/A)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. This invention is directed to a prefabricated building system employing roof-supporting extruded metal sections, having provision for the installation of panels of glass, Lexan (T.M.), acrylic, metal and composite materials, for a variety of structures, including transit shelters, smoking shelter, rail-side shelters, wind-breaks and the like.

2. Widespread use is currently made of prefabricated shelters incorporating roof-support elements generally similar to those of the present invention. However, many of these prior art systems have a number of defects which detract significantly from their appearance and over-all benefit.

Some of the aforesaid defects include:

post and panel constructions utilizing a three-member mounting arrangement by which glazing and other panels are assembled to the structure support members. The erection of such three-member assemblies is labour intensive, thus increasing their ultimate cost;

the prior art square, hollow structural posts generally have protruding channels, known as ‘receivers’ extending along all four sides of the extruded post section, for mounting what is termed in the industry as the ‘glazing body’ panel, using a variety of self tapping screw type fasteners. Since these fasteners are applied subsequently to the painting of the extrusions, their use causes interruptions and breaches in the painted surfaces. Aluminum is well known for its rapid oxidization properties, and these breaches permit oxidization to initiate, take hold and begin to creep under the painted surfaces, thus destroying the adhesion between the aluminum base material and the paint itself, adversely affecting the appearance of the structure.

A third component, known as a ‘glazing snap’, is then clipped into place, to retain the glass or other panel, which panels per se do not form a part of the present invention.

In many instances these prior art extruded components have sharp corners and edges that are generally at least square or more acutely angled in section, and when electrostatically painted, are susceptible to the Faraday Effect, which causes the corners to receive only a very thin layer of paint protection, which over time, can also lead to paint failure.

A further disadvantage of the known prior art post sections is that the sides of the posts that are not used to secure panels are left with exposed glazing body receivers. These open section, exposed receivers enable dust, dirt, gum, insects, mold and other debris to collect in them, thus making the posts very unsanitary and unsightly. These receivers are very difficult to access and clean, and the general public are constantly exposed to these surfaces.

As described above, these prior art receivers are very difficult to paint, even with the use of electrostatic painting equipment. Without a full and proper application of paint, these surfaces are susceptible to oxidization, which may ultimately lead to a paint failure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a prefabricated wall structure, for use in supporting a roof, and having hollow, extruded post sections, each with at least one substantially smooth face, at least one adjoining face having a glazing receiver section projecting therefrom and extending along substantially the length of the post to receive a glazing panel in inserted relation therein; at least one glazing snap member to secure the glazing panel to the glazing receiver, and snap-retention rib projections extending parallel with the glazing receiver section, to receive the glazing snap in removably secured relation therewith.

Thus, there is provided a two-element panel mounting, having a glazing receiver section into which an edge of a glazing panel may be entered, and adjacent, inclined snap retention ribs; and a glazing snap,for attachment to the ribs, in securing relation with the glazing panel.

There are provided two types of post, namely a corner post and a mid-post.

The corner posts have two adjoining smooth sides and two opposed sides each having a glazing receiver section, and snap retention ribs. They may be longitudinally reversed for left or right handing.

The mid-posts each has two opposed smooth sides and two sides each with a glazing receiver section, and snap retention ribs.

The smooth sides of the respective posts may be curved, and all their corners radiused. Also, the external corners of the glazing receiver sections may be radiused, as is also the glazing snap. The glazing receiver sections and the opposed glazing snap each include profiled recesses to receive an extruded rubber seal in inserted, anchored relation therein. The glazing snap is sized so as to apply, when assembled, a compressive force of the seal to the face of the panel in the order of four to six pounds per linear inch.

In the case of a shelter, such as a bus shelter that is erected against a backing wall of an existing structure, the respective posts (corner and mid-post) may be oriented such that the glazing snaps are located within the shelter structure, thus providing unrestricted access for installation and/or removal of the glazing panels from within the structure, and making replacement of the glazing panel or panels a comparatively simple operation.

The present system includes mullion and wind-skirt members, incorporating a glazing receiver section or sections corresponding with the above described glazing receiver provisions. It will be understood that panels used in such prefabricated structures generally consist of both opaque and transparent panels, which may be physically interchangeable. Thus, the term “panel” and “glazing panel” are used somewhat interchangeably. The structure of the present invention is intended for use with both such types of panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example, without limitation of the invention thereto other than as set forth in the present claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view in cross section of a portion of wall of a building structure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of portions of FIG. 1, showing a corner post and a mid-post;

FIG. 3 is a plan view in cross section of a glazing snap;

FIG. 4 is a plan view in cross section of a wind skirt for the subject structure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view in cross section of a mid-post complete with installed glazing snaps;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-section of a strip seal; and,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view in front elevation of one shelter embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, this shows in cross section a back-wall portion 10 of a shelter, having two corner posts 12, 12, and an intermediate or mid-post 14. It will be understood that the left or right ‘handing’ of the components, such as a corner post 12 is achieved merely by inverting the post, in order to reverse it handing.

Portions of two panels, 16, 16 are illustrated, for purposes of clarity.

Two glazing snaps 18, 18 are shown, with directional arrows to indicate their location of installation. It will be understood that the four edges, comprising the top, bottom and side edges of each panel 16 may be secured by the installation of a glazing snap 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, the corner post 12 has two glazing receiver sections 20, located on adjacent faces 22, 24, which faces are substantially flat.

Each glazing receiver section 20, which is extruded integrally with the posts 12 and 14, consists of a protruding extruded rib having a seal housing 29 located at its outer end, for insertion of a rubber or plastic sealing strip 25 (see FIG. 4). The receiver section 20 includes mutually inclined retaining ribs 30, 32 by which a glazing snap 18 is engaged. A pair of locating ribs located adjacent the surface of the post(12, 14) serve to centre a glazing panel 16 when it is installed, prior to the application of a snap18 in sealing relation with the glazing panel 16. The intermediate post 14 has a pair of glazing receiver sections 20, in mutually opposed relation on its side faces. The inner and outer faces of the post 14 are outwardly convexly curved.

Referring to FIG. 3, a glazing snap 18 has a base portion 38, having a seal housing 29 facing outwardly, and surmounted by a wall 40 which terminates in an inclined toe portion 42. The housing 29 receives a sealing strip 25 along its length in inserted, sliding relation therein. A second wall 44, extending substantially parallel with the wall 40 has a hooked heel portion 46. In use, with a composite rubber/plastic sealing strip 25 positioned in the seal housing 29, the snap 18 is secured to its respective post, by inserting the toe portion 42 in engaged relation beneath the retaining rib 30 and the hooked heel portion 46 in engaging relation with retaining rib 32.

This installation will then automatically result in the rubber rib portions 25 of sealing strip 15 pressing with predetermined sealing force against the inserted glazing panel 16, adjacent its edge.

Referring to FIG. 4, a windskirt 50 has a substantially rectangular body, being illustrated with three ribs 52,along its bottom surface, to make contact with the ground on which the construction stands. The corners of the windskirt 50 are radiused, and its two sides may be curved. The top face of the windskirt 50 has a glazing receiver section 20, as described above, to which the bottom edge of a glazing panel 16 may be mounted, and secured thereto by means of a snap 18, in engaged relation with the windskirt 50.

Referring to FIG. 5, a mullion member 54 has an arrangement and shape similar to an intermediate post 14, with a pair of glazing receiver sections 20, in mutually opposed relation on its top and bottom faces. The two side faces of the mullion member 54 may be outwardly convexly curved. The mullion 54 is used to connect two adjacent glazing panel portions 16 along their adjacent horizontal edges. A pair of glazing snaps 18 engage the glazing panel portions 16, being mounted on the upper and lower receiver sections 20 of the mullion 54. Referring to FIG. 7, a shelter 45 in accordance with the present invention has the glazing panels 16 secured by way of their top and side edges, in the fashion described above.

Claims

1. A prefabricated wall structure, for use in supporting a roof, said wall structure having hollow, extruded post sections, each with at least one substantially smooth face, at least one adjoining face having a panel receiver section projecting therefrom and extending along substantially the length of the post, in use to receive a panel in inserted relation therein; snap-retention rib projections extending parallel with the panel receiver section, for attachment of panel attachment snap means to the post, to receive a glazing snap in removably secured relation therewith, and at least one glazing snap member removably attachable to said post, to secure the panel in secured relation to the panel receiver.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said snap retention ribs are in spaced-apart, mutually inclined relation; said glazing snap having an inclined toe portion and a hooked heel portion to engage said snap retention ribs in engaged, removable relation.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said post sections comprise corner posts and intermediate posts, each said post having two said panel receiver sections.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein said corner post section comprises a pair of substantially smooth outwardly convex curved faces,in mutually adjoining relation, and two adjoining substantially planar faces, each having a said panel receiver section thereon.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein said intermediate post section comprises a pair of substantially smooth outwardly convex curved faces,in mutually opposed relation, and two mutually opposed substantially planar faces, each having a said panel receiver section thereon.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 1, said glazing snap member having a toe portion, and a hooked heel portion in spaced relation from said toe portion, each in use to engage a respective said snap retention rib.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 1, further including a mullion panel assembly, comprising a pair of substantially smooth outwardly convex curved side faces, in mutually opposed relation, and two mutually opposed substantially planar faces, each having a said panel receiver section thereon.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 1, said panel receiver section and said snap member each having a profiled recess to receive an elastomeric sealing strip in inserted, retained relation therein, to provide sealing contact with two side faces of said panel.

9. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said post sections may be oriented in predetermined relation, to position said glazing panel retaining snap in a predetermined location, relative to the structure, to facilitate insertion and replacement of a said glazing panel.

10. The structure as set forth in claim 1, including a mullion member in joining relation with a pair of adjacent coplanar said panels, and a windskirt in joined relation with the bottom edge of a said panel.