Framework for plane construction elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a frame construction for fixing a plurality of essentially flat panel structures in a matrix relation. The frame construction consists of a plurality of horizontal frame members and a plurality of vertical frame members, which horizontal and vertical frame members forms a matrix of openins in the frame construciton in which the panel structures can be removably inserted in that the openings can be adjusted in size to facilitate the insertion or removal of the removable panel structures. The frame construciton will be especially useful in a matrix arrangement of, for example, display faces which together form a “giant screen” or, for example, solar cell panels which are usually made having a limited area and which also can be assembled by using the present frame construciton to give a substantially greater total area.

1 . A frame construction for fixing a plurality of panel structures in a matrix relation, which frame construction consists of a plurality of horizontal frame members and a plurality of vertical frame members, which horizontal and vertical frame members form a matrix of openings in the frame construction, in which openings the panel structures can be removably inserted, characterised in that the vertical and/or the horizontal frame members are extendable in their longitudinal direction at essentially each of the openings in the frame construction in that the extendable frame members are composed of a plurality of sub-members which can be mutually displaced in their longitudinal direction in relation to each other by one or more displacing means, and that the frame construction, at least at one of its outer edges, is connected to an elongate structural element which extends across at least parts of the respective outer end of the frame construction, and that there are provided one or more motion-imparting mechanisms for the displacing means.  
     
     
         2 . A frame construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the panel structures are essentially flat bodies comprising one or more display faces.  
     
     
         3 . A frame construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the panel structures are essentially flat bodies comprising one or more solar cell panels.  
     
     
         4 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 3 , characterised in that the vertical sub-members are made in the form of elongate bodies having a through opening at each end in the longitudinal direction of the sub-member.  
     
     
         5 . A frame construction according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the sub-members in the vertical and/or horizontal direction are formed having, one or more longitudinal guides in the longitudinal direction for the whole of or parts of the displacing means.  
     
     
         6 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 5 , characterised in that the displacing means in one or more of the vertical frame members extend through essentially the whole length of the frame member.  
     
     
         7 . A frame construction according to claims  4 - 6 , characterised in that the vertical sub-members overlap each other with a through opening, so that the lower through opening in one sub-member overlaps the upper through opening in the subjacent member.  
     
     
         8 . A frame construction according to claims  4 - 7 , characterised in that the extent in the longitudinal direction of the total opening produced by the overlapping openings in each end of the vertical sub-members essentially corresponds to the maximum extension in the longitudinal direction of a vertical frame member at each opening in the frame construction.  
     
     
         9 . A frame construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the horizontal sub-members pass through the overlapping openings in the vertical sub-members.  
     
     
         10 . A frame construction according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the horizontal sub-members are complementarily designed at their opposite ends and that they overlap across an area at least corresponding to the largest desirable extension of the respective horizontal frame members at an opening in the frame construction.  
     
     
         11 . A frame construction according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the complementary design of the horizontal sub-members includes a longitudinal opening in the longitudinal direction preferably at the end of a member and a projection or hook on the complementarily designed member that engages with the longitudinal opening, where the free travel of the projection or hook in the opening corresponds to the extension of the horizontal frame member at the opening in the frame construction.  
     
     
         12 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 11 , characterised in that the frame construction, at one of or both of its lateral edges, across the whole of or parts of the extent of the lateral edge, is provided with one or more covering structural elements extending in the direction away from the front of the panel structures in the frame construction.  
     
     
         13 . A frame construction according, to claims  1 - 12 , characterised in that the frame construction along the whole of or parts of the longitudinal extent of the upper side is provided with one or more covering structural elements extending in the direction away from the front of the panel structures in the frame construction.  
     
     
         14 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 13 , characterised in that the displacing means of the frame construction is formed by an elongate body or several successive elongate bodies such as a wire, rope, cable or the like, and that the motion-imparting, mechanism of the frame construction is a winch with a which drum for coiling up the displacing means.  
     
     
         15 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 13 , characterised in that the displacing means of the frame construction consists of one or more racks and that the motion-imparting mechanism of the frame construction is an associated rack gear.  
     
     
         16 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 15 , characterised in that the frame construction at its lower edge is provided with a motion-imparting mechanism for the displacing means.  
     
     
         17 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 16 , characterised in that the upper horizontal frame member is provided with rolling means that move along a guide located on an external structural element.  
     
     
         18 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 17 , characterised in that the lower horizontal frame member is provided with rolling means that move along a guide located on an external structural element.  
     
     
         19 . A frame construction according to claims  1 - 18 , characterised in that one of, or both of, the vertical frame members of the frame construction are provided with rolling means that move along a guide located on an external structural element.  
     
     
         20 . A frame construction according to claims  18 - 19 , characterised in that one or more of the frame members are pretensioned in relation to one or more externally located structural elements.