Building wall structure

Abstract

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 ).

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.