Covering Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for applying sheet material to framework elements comprises elongate support means for sheet material and means for attachment of said support means to framework elements, in which the elongate support means comprise a base member having upstanding stud members for engagement in use with pre-formed holes formed in the sheet material and a capping member for applying over said base member to apply out-of-plane tensioning deformation to said sheet material, in which the capping member includes groove formations for receiving the edge of sheet material formed as a keder.

1 . Apparatus for applying sheet material to framework elements, the apparatus comprising elongate support means for sheet material and means for attachment of said support means to framework elements, in which the elongate support means comprise a base member having upstanding stud members for engagement in use with pre-formed holes formed in the sheet material and a capping member for applying over said base member to apply out-of-plane tensioning deformation to said sheet material, in which the capping member includes groove formations for receiving the edge of sheet material formed as a keder. 
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the base member comprises a longitudinal central zone from which the stud members extend, the central zone being bounded by longitudinal channel members for receiving, in use, out-of-plane deformed portions of sheet material. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , in which the capping member has a central zone for applying over the central zone of the base member, the central zone of the capping member being provided with holes for receiving the stud members, and downwardly-depending U formations externally of the central zone which co-operate with the channel members of the base member to define a space for receiving and tensioning sheet material applied over the stud members. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , in which the central zone of the capping member includes extensions on each side over the U channels, the outer edge of the extensions defining a longitudinal gap with the outer or distal edge of the U member and, thereby, creating the keder groove. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the upstanding stud members are screw-threaded to receive a clamping nut, to secure the capping and base members together with tensioning of fabric applied over the stud members. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , in which the upstanding stud members comprise pins formed in a lower portion with a standard or fine screw thread for receiving a nut for tightening purposes against the base member and in an upper portion with a further screw thread for receiving a clamping nut for clamping the capping member to the base member and, thus, for applying tensioning force to the sheet material. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the means for attachment of the support means to the framework elements comprises a bracket having downwardly-depending legs for engaging astride the framework element and upper means for attachment to the support means. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , in which the attachment bracket includes an upper cross-member formed with an aperture through which, in use and when attached to the support means, the lower portion of the upstanding stud member can protrude. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , in which the upper cross member of the attachment bracket is formed with curved shoulders. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , in which one shoulder is formed with a lateral notch which receives a tongue formation formed on one side of the lower part of the base member and the other shoulder is formed with an abutment against which a further tongue formed on the other side of the lower part of the base member engages. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , in which the attachment bracket carries a laterally-disposed spring-loaded latch pin to secure the bracket in engagement with the support means. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , in which the latch pin is one of a pair of pins, arranged in parallel relationship and spaced apart, connected together at their ends remote from their front faces with a bridging or web portion, whereby the pins and web portion constitute a V-shaped double-pin member. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  and including two capping members, the upper capping member being inverted over the lower capping member. 
   
   
       14 . A structure comprising apparatus according to  claim 1  and sheet material supported thereby, in which adjacent support means are arranged co-axially or at a shallow angle by mitre-cutting of the end faces, whereby the channel members and keder grooves remain in registration. 
   
   
       15 . A method of construction of a temporary roofing or containment structure, the method comprising assembling two or more sets of apparatus according to  claim 1  with the channel members and keder grooves of adjacent sets in registration and fitting keder-edged panels of sheet material from one side of the structure. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , in which the structure includes a roof which is assembled at ground level and lifted or hoisted into position punched sheets being attached to the stud members and tensioned by means of the capping member, gaps between them being covered with a keder-edged panel. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15 , in which, in order to provide improved insulation, an inner wall is formed from fabric material attached to the studs and tensioned by a capping member and the outer wall is formed from keder-edged panels pulled along and accommodated in the keder grooves, the space between the inner and outer walls being capable of inflation to enhance the insulating properties and to apply tension to the outer wall Panels. 
   
   
       18 . An attachment bracket for connecting together a framework element and support means for sheet material as defined in  claim 1 , the bracket comprising legs for engaging astride the framework element and upper means for attachment to the support means, the bracket including an upper cross-member formed. with an aperture and curved shoulders, one shoulder being formed with a lateral notch and the other shoulder including an abutment, the attachment bracket carrying at least one laterally-disposed spring-loaded, latch pin, the support means being retained on the bracket by engagement of the latch pin or pins with the support means.