Building wall structure
A removable wall skirting system is disclosed. In a wall structure where an interior wall cladding (30) is carried by a frame and in which a gap (50) is provided between a bottom edge of the cladding and a bottom wall frame member (10) of the frame, the removable wall skirting system covers this gap (50) but allows easier detection of termite activity within the wall structure. Various means of removably attaching the wall skirting are disclosed including magnetic coupling (44,46), clips (47), and rail (70) and slot (72).
This invention relates to the field of building wall structures. In particular, the invention relates to a structures and systems applicable in residential buildings and the like that facilitate inspection of the wall structures once constructed, a facility which finds especial, but not limiting, application in the treatment of termite infestations.
Infestation of wooden structures such as residential buildings and the like presents a serious problem in many areas. For example, in some geographic regions up to one in three houses encounter termite infestations that require treatment in order to avoid or curtail the onset of potentially catastrophic damage to the structure. Once termites are detected in a building they can be effectively eradicated using pesticides such as arsenical dusts and the like, but if a termite infestation remains undetected or left untreated, significant and substantial damage can result to timber structures and fixtures.
In areas that are particularly prone to termite attacks, regular inspections of building timbers is thus recommended to reduce the possibility of such damage occurring.
Termites most frequently gain access to timber in a building from a subterranean entry point. Thus, it is building timber closest to the ground that is usually damaged first, and inspection of the lowest wooden structures provide the best early indication of a termite infestation. Present timber framed construction techniques, however, often result in buildings that do not permit access to timber frame members where termite infestations are likely to occur without damage to the building fixtures. In particular, although timber supports may be inspected from beneath a house, it is possible for termites to be present in building wall studs and joists which are not accessible for inspection from beneath.
The present invention alms to provide in one preferred aspect a system whereby termite inspection and treatment can be more readily undertaken at the base of wall studs and/or where wall studs and floor joists meet. The present invention in a further preferred aspect alms to provide a wall skirting system which allows access to the lower portion of a wall structure normally covered by wall skirting.
In a first preferred aspect, the present invention provides a wall structure for a building in which a gap is provided between a bottom edge of an interior wall cladding, such as plasterboard or the like, the wall cladding being carried by a wall frame, and a bottom wall frame member of the frame whereby lower portions of the wall frame are accessible through the gap, and a wall skirting means adapted to fit along and support the bottom edge of the cladding and to cover the gap, the wall skirting means including a wall skirting member movable away from the wall structure to allow for access to the wall frame through the gap.
Typically, the wall frame is a timber wall frame and access through the gap allows for inspection of the timber wall frame members.
In another preferred aspect, the present invention provides wall skirting means adapted to be associated with a wall structure of a building having an interior wall cladding carried by a wall frame and in which a gap is provided between a bottom edge of the cladding and a bottom wall frame member of the frame, the wall skirting means being adapted to fit along and support the bottom edge of the wall cladding and cover the gap, the wall skirting means including a wall skirting member movable away from the wall structure to allow for access to the wall frame through the gap.
The wall frame typically comprises a timber wall frame. Thus by inspection of the wall structure and wall frame through the gap, for example, the presence of termites therein may be detected and/or any detected termites treated with pesticides or the like. Following inspection of the wall timbers through the gap in the wall cladding, the wall skirting member can be replaced on the wall structure to once again cover the gap.
In one preferred form, the wall skirting member provides support to and locates the bottom edge of the wall cladding and various forms of attachment means can be used to secure the skirting member to the wall structure whilst allowing for removal and replacement thereof. In one form of the invention, clips are provided which couple the skirting member to lower portions of upright wall frame members and/or bottom wall frame members that are exposed by the gap in the wall cladding. In another form of the invention, magnetic coupling means is employed, comprising a magnetic strip affixed to the skirting member and a complementary metal strip affixed to a horizontal frame member of the frame, magnetic attraction between the magnetic strip and metal strip holding the skirting member in place relative to the wall frame.
As referred to above, the wall skirting member is suitably configured to locate and support the bottom edge of the wall cladding. In one form, the wall skirting member includes a rebate or recess in which the lower edge of the wall skirting member may be located and thereby be supported. The rebate or recess is suitably provided in an upper inside portion of the wall skirting member.
In another preferred configuration, the bottom edge of the wall cladding may be positively and releasably connected to the wall skirting member. For this purpose, the bottom edge may be fitted with a rail and releasable connection means may be provided between the rail and wall skirting member. The releasable connection means may comprise a slot or the like in the rail and a clip member extending from the wall skirting member releasably receivable in the slot in the rail. The rail may include a slot or channel into which the bottom edge of the wall cladding may be located.
In another preferred form of the invention, a support framework or backing member is attachable along the bottom edge of the wall cladding and the wall skirting member is mountable to the support framework. Beneficially, the supporting framework can provide additional rigidity to the cladding sheet bottom edge to prevent bowing or other deformation thereof which may otherwise occur in view of the cladding sheet being unsupported between upright wall studs.
Preferably, the support framework or backing member extends between the bottom edge of the wall cladding and bottom frame member or floor and is affixed to the wall frame. Preferably, the bottom edge of the cladding is located in a rebate, recess or channel in an upper portion of the support framework so as to be supported longitudinally of the wall structure.
The wall skirting member may be releasably attached to the support framework to be removable therefrom to permit access to the gap. In one configuration, the support framework may be constructed with an outwardly facing slot adapted to receive clips or projections on the rear face of the skirting member so as to provide the attachment therebetween. Alternatively, magnetic latching means or other forms of latching means may be provided between the wall skirting member and support framework.
In another embodiment, the wall skirting member may be pivotally or hingedly mounted to the support framework so as to be capable of being pivoted or swung away from the wall skirting member to an open position permitting access to the gap or pivoted or swung to a closed position covering the gap. Suitably latching means may be provided to releasably retain the wall skirting member in the closed position. The latching means suitably comprise co-operable latching members on the support framework and wall skirting member.
The skirting member suitably comprises an elongated member such as an extrusion. The skirting member suitably is provided with at least one or a series of openings therein through which the wall frame can be inspected. The support framework or backing board may also be an extrusion.
Bait containers may be associated with the wall skirting means for treatment of, or attracting, termites or other insects or vermin in the wall structure. Suitably, the bait containers are releasably received in the or an opening in the support framework. In one embodiment, the container is open at least at its inner end and, at its outer end, the container may be provided with a door or other closure member allowing access to the interior of the container for placement of, or removal of, bait.
Preferably, corner members are associated with inner and outer corners of a wall structure and the support framework for the wall skirting members is provided between the corner members. The corner members may comprise base members attachable to the wall structure at the corners and cover members releasably attached to the base members. Suitably, the cover members when engaged with their base members overlie and hide marginal edges of the support framework and associated wall skirting members which are in abutting or substantial abutting relationship with the corner members.
End stops may also be provided at the ends of the support framework. The end stops may include base members attachable to the wall structure and cover members releasably attached to the base members. Suitably, the cover members when engaged with their base members overlie a marginal edge of the support framework and associated wall skirting members in abutting or substantial abutting relationship with the corner members.
The invention and various implementations thereof are described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 10 to 16 are side-cross-sectional views of lower wall structures constructed in accordance with further embodiments of the invention;
Referring first to
In an ordinary wall construction, the cladding 30 extends all the way to the floor level 64 and is attached to the lower horizontal frame member 10 and wall studs 20 using nails or some other suitable fastenings. However, in the structure of the embodiment as illustrated in
To shield the gap 50 along the bottom of the wall during normal circumstances, a removable skirting member is provided in, the form of an elongate skirting board 40 shown in end cross-section in
The skirting board 40 is removably fastened to the wall with attachment means that engage with the horizontal wall frame member 10, the wall studs 20, the plasterboard lower edge 32 and/or the floor adjacent the wall. By having the skirting board 40 removable from the wall, access can be easily obtained to the timbers in the lower part of the wall through the gap 50. Since termites most frequently enter a house from below, inspection of these lower wall timbers may provide a good indication of the presence of termites in the building. In order to inspect the timbers forming the wall framework, the skirting board 40 is removed from the wall and the frame members 10, 20 are inspected visually, and/or using tools and sensing equipment as is known to termite inspectors, through the gap 50 exposed between the plasterboard and the floor. If termites are found infesting the wall timbers, pesticide treatments or the like can also be applied through the gaps. Once the termite inspection and/or treatment is complete, the skirting board 40 is replaced along the bottom of the wall to once again conceal the gap 50 and wall frame members.
Various attachments to hold the skirting board 40 in relation to the wall are possible.
Variations of the skirting board structure of the present invention which facilitate inspection of wall timbers are illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 16. These embodiments each include a skirting support framework 100 which extends between the floor level of the building and the bottom edge of the plasterboard 30. The skirting support framework 100 provides for attachment of the skirting board 40 thereto whist allowing for removal or pivotal movement of the skirting board for access to the interior timbers of the building wall for inspection.
Referring to
The upper rail 102 has an upwardly projecting portion that extends marginally along the rear of the plasterboard bottom edge, and is preferably attached thereto. The upwardly projecting portion additionally forms a recess 101 in which the bottom edge 32 of the plasterboard 30 is located to be thereby supported between the wall studs 20. In order to accommodate that projecting portion of the upper rail, the bottom edge of the plasterboard may be formed with a complementary notch or groove.
The removable skirting boards described above can be fabricated from timber, particle board or any other suitable wood based material, or can be constructed from plastics or metal, or some combination of such materials if desired. The particular means of attaching the skirting board along the wall may be integrated into the structure of the skirting board itself or can be added after fabrication of the board. Although several forms of releasable attachment means are described hereinabove, others are, of course, also possible and may be incorporated into the skirting board and wall structure of the present invention.
A further embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 32. In
The skirting board assembly 200 as shown also in FIGS. 18 to 23 includes an elongated backing member or framework 210 which is adapted to be secured to the wall frame 201 such as to extend between the floor level 203 of the building and the bottom edge 209 of the cladding 205. The backing member 210 is typically formed as an extrusion having a rear flange 211 which forms a mounting face for the backing member 210 and which is provided at its upper end with a channel 212 for receipt of the lower edge 209 of the cladding 205 as shown in dotted outline. The side flanges 213 and 214 of the channel 212 are relatively thin. The lower end of the rear flange 211 is kicked outwardly and terminates in a pair of tapering fingers 215 for seating on the surface of the floor 203. The backing member 210 additionally includes adjacent its lower end a curved female recess 216 and, towards its upper end and beneath the channel 212, a retaining recess 217. The backing member 210 additionally includes upper and lower locating grooves 218 and 219 for locating fasteners for mounting of the backing member 210 as described further below. Sections of the flange 211 are removed between the upper and lower locating grooves 218 and 219 to form a series of inspection openings 220 through which termite activity in the wall frame 201 can be observed.
The skirting board assembly 200 additionally includes a cover strip or front panel 221 (see
At the internal corners 207, inner corner base members 230 as illustrated in
Corner covers 234 shown in
At external corners 206, outer corner base members 237 shown in
Adapted for cooperation with the base members 237 are outer corner covers 241 (see
Where the skirting board assembly 200 is to terminate other than at an inner or outer corner such as at the end frame member 208, end stop base members 244 as shown in
A base member cover 248 shown in
In use, the inner and outer corner base members 230 and 237 are installed as are the end stop base members 244 and the skirting backing member 210 is cut to length to fit between adjacent base members 230 and 237 and/or end stop base members 244 and affixed to the wall frame 201 typically by screws 252 driven through the member 210 at spaced positions along the upper and lower locating grooves 218 and 219 to the horizontal wall frame members 202 and/or wall studs 204. The cladding 205 is then applied to the wall frame 201 with the cladding 205 being of a width such that the lower edge 209 thereof can locate neatly within the channel 202 of the base member 210. This can be achieved by either reducing the width of the upper cladding sheet where a combination sheet i.e. one edge square and one edge recessed, is used for the bottom sheet or alternatively where standard recessed edge sheets are to be used, the bottom recessed edge of the lower sheet is removed to reduce the sheet width and the new cut edge is then inserted into the channel 22. The cladding sheets 205 are then fixed off to the wall studs 202 in the normal manner by cleats or nails.
The cover strips 221 are also cut to length to locate between the corner members 230 and 237 and/or end stop base members 244 and engaged with the backing member 210 by locating the curved fingers 223 in the recesses 216 and pivoting the cover strips 221 upwardly until the retaining finger 224 snap engage with the retaining recess 217 such that the cover strips 221 are positively held in position. In this position as shown in
If it is necessary to join lengths of cover strips 221, a joiner 255 of the type illustrated in
To attract vermin such as termites, bait boxes 260 of the type illustrated in
After installation of the skirting board assembly 200 as shown in
The backing member 210 provides continuous support to the bottom edge of the plasterboard or other wall sheeting including mid-span between studs thus eliminating distortion in the surface of the wall sheeting and maintaining strength to resist normal wear and tear in a home. The skirting board assembly 200 may be installed at the time of building construction or post construction.
The co-operable latching members on the cover strip and backing board and corner base members and covers as well as the end stop bases and their covers may be in many different configurations other than those illustrated and described.
The components of the skirting board assembly of FIGS. 17 to 32 are preferably formed of plastics by moulding with the elongated components 210 and 221 extruded. The components however may be formed of other materials including recycled materials. It is preferred however that the materials be not susceptible to any timber pest attack from termite borer or from fungal decay. In the event of termite infestation, the skirting board assembly can be removed and reinstalled upon repair of the damaged areas.
Whilst the building wall structures of the present invention are primarily for use in detecting termite activity, including baiting, detection and eradication of termites, other uses include:
-
- to conceal electrical and audio cabling post construction with little disturbance of existing wall finishes;
- enabling the early detection of leaking plumbing in wall cavities (which can attract termite activity) and any consequent fungal or similar decay; and
- offering a difficult to detect site for the installation of a security system and/or a safe for valuables.
Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
It will be further appreciated that the foregoing detailed description of an implementation of the invention has been presented by way of example only, and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A wall structure for a building including a gap provided between a bottom edge of an interior wall cladding, said wall cladding being carried by a wall frame, and a bottom wall frame member of said frame whereby lower portions of said wall frame are accessible through said gap, and a wall skirting means adapted to fit along and support said bottom edge of said cladding and to cover said gap, said wall skirting means including a wall skirting member movable away from said wall structure to allow for access to said wall frame through said gap.
2. A wall skirting means adapted to be associated with a wall structure of a building having an interior wall cladding carried by a wall frame and in which a gap is provided between a bottom edge of said cladding and a bottom wall frame member of said frame, said wall skirting means being adapted to fit along and support said bottom edge of said wall is cladding and cover said gap, said wall skirting means including a wall skirting member movable away from said wall structure to allow for access to said wall frame through said gap.
3. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 2 wherein, said wall skirting member is secured to said wall structure by one or more clips which couple said skirting member to lower portions of upright wall frame members and/or bottom wall frame members that are exposed by said gap in said wall cladding.
4. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 2 wherein, said wall skirting member is secured to said wall structure by magnetic coupling means.
5. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 4 wherein, said magnetic coupling means includes a magnetic strip affixed to a rearwardly facing surface of said skirting member and a complementary metal strip affixed to an outwardly facing surface of a horizontal frame member of said frame, magnetic attraction between the magnetic strip and metal strip holding said skirting member in place relative to said wall frame.
6. A wall skirting means as defined in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein, said wall skirting member includes a rebate or recess in which a lower edge of said wall skirting member is located and thereby supported.
7. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 6 where, said rebate or recess is provided in an upper inside portion of the said skirting member.
8. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 2 wherein, said bottom edge of said wall cladding is releasably connected to said wall skirting member.
9. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 8 wherein, said bottom edge is fitted with a rail and a releasable connection means is provided between said rail and said wall skirting member.
10. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 9 wherein, said releasable connection means comprises a slot or the like in said rail and a clip member extending from said wall skirting member which is releasably receivable in said slot in said rail.
11. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 10 wherein, said rail further includes a slot or channel into which said bottom edge of said wall cladding can be located.
12. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 2 wherein, a support framework is attached along said bottom edge of said wall cladding and said wall skirting member is mountable to said support framework.
13. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 12 wherein, said support framework extends between said bottom edge of said wall cladding and said bottom frame member and is affixed to said wall frame.
14. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 13 wherein, said bottom edge of said wall cladding is located in a rebate, recess or channel in an upper portion of said support framework so as to be supported longitudinally of said wall structure.
15. A wall skirting means as defined in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein, said wall skirting member is releasably attached to said support framework.
16. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 15 wherein, said support framework includes an outwardly facing slot adapted to receive one or more securing clips or projections on a rear face of said wall skirting member.
17. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 15 wherein, a magnetic latching means is operatively connected between said support framework and said wall skirting member.
18. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 15 wherein, said wall skirting member is pivotally or hingedly mounted to said support framework.
19. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 18 wherein, a latching means is provided to releasably retain said wail skirting member in a closed position.
20. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 19 wherein, said latching means comprises co-operable latching members on said support framework and said wall skirting member.
21. A wall skirting means as defined in claim 20 wherein, bait containers are associated with said wall skirting means for treatment of, or attracting, termites or other insects or vermin in said wall structure.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 23, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 25, 2007
Inventor: Peter Lavell (Mountain Creek)
Application Number: 10/562,213
International Classification: E04B 1/00 (20060101);