Ring Beam Structure And Method Of Constructing A Timber Frame

Abstract

A ring beam structure ( 100 ) for use in constructing a timber frame ( 101 ) for a building comprises a plurality of rows ( 100 a, b, c ) of timber beams ( 1 ). Each row ( 100 a, b, c ) forms a ring beam wherein at least one row comprises a floor stage and at least one further ring beam comprises a roof stage. The floor and roof stages are assembled at ground level and releasably secured together allowing the ring beam structure ( 100 ) to be lifted clear for construction of the ground floor wall structure ( 102 b ). The ring beam structure is then lowered and the floor stage attached to the ground floor wall structure ( 102 b ). The floor stage is then released and allowing the roof stage to be lifted clear off for construction of the upper wall structure ( 102 a ) on the floor stage. The roof stage can then be lowered and attached to the upper wall structure to complete assembly of the timber frame ( 101 ).

1 . A ring beam structure for a timber frame building, the ring beam structure comprising a plurality of rows of timber beams arranged one on top of the other, each row forming a ring beam, wherein at least one row comprises a floor stage and at least one further ring beam comprises a roof stage wherein said floor and roof stages are releasably secured together.  
   
   
       2 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 1  wherein said floor stage incorporates floor joists.  
   
   
       3 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 2  wherein said floor stage comprises upper and lower ring beams and the floor joist are incorporated in the upper ring beam so that the ends of the joints rest on the lower ring beam.  
   
   
       4 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 2  wherein the floor stage incorporates floor material secured to the joists.  
   
   
       5 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 1  wherein said roof stage incorporates roof trusses.  
   
   
       6 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 1  wherein the timber beams comprise vertical timber components and horizontal panels on one or both sides.  
   
   
       7 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 6  wherein the timber beams are joined end to end by means of parallel components fixed to one side.  
   
   
       8 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 1  wherein means is provide for lifting the ring beam structure as a complete unit.  
   
   
       9 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 8  wherein the lifting means comprises a plurality of lifting points spaced apart around the roof stage such that the roof stage can be lifted off the floor stage when the roof and floor stages are separated.  
   
   
       10 . A ring beam structure according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of floor stages arranged one on top of the other with the roof stage arranged on top of the uppermost floor stage wherein the floor stages and roof stages are releasably secured together.  
   
   
       11 . A timber frame for a building comprising a plurality of load bearing and supporting wall structures arranged one above the other, a ring beam structure incorporating a floor stage arranged between and connected to successive wall structures, and a ring beam structure incorporating a roof stage arranged on and connected to the uppermost wall structure wherein the ring beam structures are constructed as a pre-fabricated unit with the ring beam structures placed one on top of the other and releasably secured together whereby the ring beam structures can be uncoupled from the pre-fabricated unit during construction of the timber frame.  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A timber frame according to  claim 11  wherein each floor stage comprises upper and lower rows of beams of which the lower row supports floor joists of the upper row and provides a structural member extending over openings in the timber frame.  
   
   
       14 . A timber frame according to  claim 11  wherein the wall structures comprise in-fill panels extending between and secured to vertical posts.  
   
   
       15 . A timber frame according to  claim 14  wherein a plurality of in-fill panels are provided between each pair of adjacent vertical posts, and fixed to vertical timber components which extend and connect to the ring beam above.  
   
   
       16 . A timber frame according to  claim 11  wherein the load bearing and supporting wall structures incorporate insulation material.  
   
   
       17 . A timber frame according to  claim 11  wherein the load bearing and supporting wall structures are adapted to accommodate service pipes and/or wiring.  
   
   
       18 . A timber frame according to  claim 11  comprising a ground floor load bearing and supporting wall structure and a first floor load bearing and supporting wall structure.  
   
   
       19 . A timber frame according to  claim 18  wherein the floor stage is provided between and connects the ground floor and first floor load bearing and supporting wall structures and the roof stage is provided on top of the first floor load bearing and supporting wall structure.  
   
   
       20 . A method of constructing a timber frame for a building, comprising forming a ring beam structure at ground level comprising a plurality of rows of timber beams arranged one on top of the other, each row forming a ring beam, wherein at least one row comprises a floor stage and at least one further ring beam comprises a roof stage wherein said floor and roof stages are releasably secured together, forming a load bearing and supporting wall structure, placing the ring beam structure on top of the load bearing and supporting wall structure and attaching the floor stage thereto, releasing the secured floor stage from the ring beam structure and lifting the ring beam structure clear of the floor stage, forming a further load bearing and supporting wall structure on top of the floor stage, placing the ring beam structure on top of the further load bearing and supporting wall structure and attaching a further floor stage or the roof stage thereto.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein each floor stage includes floor joists.