Structural assembly

Abstract

A structural assembly for the construction of buildings and other types of structures where a covering is fixed to a frame by a removable seal. The seal is spring biased to secure the covering against the frame in at least two places. The system provides for quick assembly and with the use of different types of connectors and joiners, different types of structures of variable design can be formed for temporary or permanent use.

1 . A system for securing a covering to a frame including 
 a longitudinal frame member with a longitudinally extending recess, said recess having a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs on each opposing face of the recess walls; and    a resiliently deformable sealing member having a substantially complementary profile to the recess; wherein said covering is locatable between said recess and the inserted sealing member and secured in position by the outwardly directed spring bias of the inserted sealing member against the recess walls.    
   
   
       2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there are two longitudinally extending ribs on each opposing inner face of the recess walls that can engage complementary grooves in the sealing member, thereby providing for the securing of the covering by both ribs on one recess face when the sealing member is inserted.  
   
   
       3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the frame member is preferably substantially cylindrical to provide integral strength and surfaces without edges to avoid abrasive wear of the contacting covering.  
   
   
       4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sealing member has two relatively independent legs which are biased to moving outwardly and operate substantially independently.  
   
   
       5 . A structural assembly including 
 a plurality of longitudinal frame members, each of said frame members has a longitudinally extending recess, each of said recesses has a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs on each opposing face of the recess walls;    a connector for connecting the frame members; one or more resiliently deformable sealing members, each of said sealing members has a substantially complementary profile to the recess; and    one or more coverings wherein each of said coverings is locatable between said recess and the inserted sealing member and secured in position by the outwardly directed spring bias of the inserted sealing member against the recess walls.    
   
   
       6 . A structural assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein there are two longitudinally extending ribs on each opposing inner face of the recess walls that can engage complementary grooves in the sealing member, thereby providing for the securing of the covering by both ribs on one recess face when the sealing member is inserted.  
   
   
       7 . A structural assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the frame member is preferably substantially cylindrical to provide integral strength and surfaces without edges to avoid abrasive wear of the contacting covering.  
   
   
       8 . A structural assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the sealing member has two relatively independent legs which are biased to moving outwardly and operate substantially independently.  
   
   
       9 . A structural assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the connector includes connector members such as a 90 degree joiner, a 120 degree joiner, a straight joiner, a three way joiner, a four way joiner, a spreader, an end adaptor, and one or more different types of brackets.  
   
   
       10 . A structural assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the connector member has a recess similar to the frame member.  
   
   
       11 . A structural assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the connector member has a connector portion that forms an inner sleeve engageable within the open end of the frame member; said connector portion has a substantially cylindrical shape with one or more outwardly extending projections to abut the inner cylindrical surface of the frame member; said outwardly extending projections are adapted to secure or lock against the inner surface of the frame member.  
   
   
       12 . A structural assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the assembled structure includes shade houses and greenhouses, shade tunnels, animal shelters, awnings, canopies, carports, temporary accommodation, emergency shelters, canopies on the back of trucks and bus shelters.  
   
   
       13 . A system for assembling a structure including 
 forming a frame with a plurality of longitudinal frame members, each of said frame members has a longitudinally extending recess, each of said recesses has a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs on each opposing face of the recess walls; connecting frame members with suitable connectors wherein the recesses are aligned for inserting a sealing member;    positioning a covering over the frame and inserting one or more resiliently deformable sealing members so that the covering is secured within the recess by the sealing members wherein each of said sealing members has a substantially complementary profile to the recess and an outwardly directed spring bias against the recess walls.    
   
   
       14 . A system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the structure is a modular structure and two or more modules can be joined to form a structure of a desired size.  
   
   
       15 . A system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein modular units are formed when the particular structure is longer or wider than 6 meters.