FOLDING HALL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a structure consisting of an assembly of panels which are movable through a hinge joint between a flat position and an erected position, in which flat position a flat surface is formed, and in which erected position the structure can be used as a temporary span.

[0002] Such a structure is known from British patent application GB-A-2 119 825. The structure can be assembled with connected panels on a floor surface and then be raised into an erected position. The structure can be used as a temporary span. The span can be folded together in periods of non-use. The angle between the panels can then vary between 0° and 180° so that the panels are folded, so to say, "flat" on each other.

[0003] Because the panels can hingedly move with respect to each other, a substantial loss of rigidity is introduced which cannot be removed completely by fixing the structure to the ground. Consequently, the hinges must be fixed in the erected position so that the panels cannot be moved anymore. This has the result that in the case of larger dimensions of the structure the fixing of the individual hinge joints is difficult and labor-intensive.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to remove this drawback by providing a structure which is easy to erect and yet provides the desired rigidity. This is achieved by a structure according to the opening paragraph, in which the hinge can hinge until a specific maximum end angle, at which end angle the panels form the structure in the erected position.

[0005] The end angle at which the panels in the erected position are connected together is then, because the hinge can hinge until a specific maximum angle, defined by the hinge joint. The construction can thus simply be brought into an erected form by raising it until the erected form with the maximum angle of the hinge joint is reached, with the fixed end angle providing the desired additional rigidity.

[0006] The construction can be fixed in the erected position by means of a ground section or ground anchors which keep the panels in fixed connection with the floor surface, which ground section may be mobile. Moreover, additional rigidity can be obtained by closing and supporting the sides of the construction through side panels. The hinge joint may be water-sealing. Furthermore, at least a number of panels may be light-transmitting. The structure is thus suitable for serving as a temporary or semi-permanent span and, depending on the employed materials, for spanning substantial surfaces. Depending on the amount of employed light-transmitting panels, which may be made of, for instance, polycarbonate, constructions can be made which transmit a great deal of light, which, for instance, offers possibilities of serving as a greenhouse.

[0007] The panels preferably consist of a sandwich material with a core having a low density and a high shearing modulus, enclosed by skin layers having a high modulus of elasticity, which are weatherproof and fire-resistant and have a high impact resistance. These properties give the advantages of sandwich constructions, that is to say a high strength/rigidity and a low weight. Weatherproofness, fire and impact resistance make the panels suitable for use in a span. Additional advantages of using such materials are sound and heat insulating properties, in particular when using a core consisting of polystyrene or polyurethane foam being ca. 3-7 cm in thickness, 4 cm being preferred. Preferably, the skin layers consist of thin steel or aluminum plates. The effect thus achieved is that a relatively very high rigidity is obtained, without the need for the employed materials to be too thick. The use of aluminum as skin layer also has the advantage that it is corrosion-resistant. When the impact resistance plays an important role, the best glass polyester can be used as skin layer. Preferably, a panel has an edge section which encloses the core and skin layers of the sandwich, and which is glued to the panel with, for instance, a binary polyurethane glue. Such a section is favorable to the protection of the core. Moreover, the individual layers are prevented from loosening from each other. By using the above glue type, a strong glued joint is effected which completely fills the section, and which, because it is preferably a binary glue, properly hardens. It is further preferred that the panel has the shape of an isosceles triangle. Through this shape a structure with diamond-shaped facets can be constructed, which forms a self-supporting cylindrical span.

[0008] Several of such panels can be connected by a hinge joint, with the edge section being of, for instance, steel with a PVC coating, and with the hinge formed by welding a strip of PVC cloth to the PVC coating of the edge section. Such a hinge has favorable properties with respect to watertightness, the capability of transmitting (torsional) forces and the possibility of disassembly, in view of using such a hinge in a temporary span. By cutting through the PVC cloth, disassembly can easily be realized. A further advantage is the easy assembly of such a hinge joint, the strength and the relatively low cost thereof. Furthermore, the edge section preferably has one acute and one obtuse angle, and the strip of PVC cloth is welded to the section on the side of the acute angle. The effect thus achieved is that the hinge joint is movable from a flat position into a position in which the panels are at an angle with respect to each other. Furthermore, the sections are at a relatively small distance from each other. Thus a small slit is formed between the hinge, which is favorable to the hinge function. Preferably, the PVC cloth consists of fiber-reinforced soft polyvinyl chloride with a UV-stabilized upper layer. Such a material provides optimum strength and durability.

[0009] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a hinge joint of a hinge as described above, which comprises placing the panels to be connected together at a distance from each other beside each other, arranging a strip of PVC cloth on the PVC coating of the edge section, heating the whole with hot air until the cloth begins to melt, and then fastening the strip to the section by rolling with a roller having a silicone surface so that the whole is pressed together during cooling. Such a method has the advantage that panels can readily be connected together so as to be watertight, through a hinge joint which is strong and durable.

[0010] The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b show embodiments of a structure according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a modular strip of panels for composing a structure of Figure 1a; and

Figure 3 diagrammatically shows an embodiment of a hinge with which the panels of a structure according to the invention can be connected.

[0011] Figures 1a and 1b show embodiments of the invention, with the so-called diamond shape (1) shown in Figure 1a and the accordion shape (2) shown in Figure 1b. Both embodiments consist of an assembly which is movable between a flat position and an erected position, in which flat position a flat surface is formed, and in which erected position the structure is formed. The shapes consist of connected panels, some of which are denoted in Figures 1a and 1b by reference numerals (3) and (4), respectively. An embodiment as shown in Figure 1a is built up from panels (3) having the shape of an isosceles triangle, with acute angles of, for instance, 40° and an obtuse angle of, for instance, 100°. In Figure 1b the panel (4) has a trapezium shape.

[0012] For a better understanding of how to realize the structure, reference is made to Figure 2. Shown herein is a strip (5) with connected panels (6,7), which can form the foremost arch (5) of facets in Figure 1a. A second strip (8) is attached to the first strip in the direction of the arrows P. The panels (6) thus form concave, inwardly folded facets, while the panels (7) form convex, outwardly folded facets. The strip is bounded by half panels (8) which are placed on the floor surface, for instance in a ground section (not shown). The construction can be raised at the points (9) with, for instance, a crane. By properly guiding the construction during folding and unfolding of the panels, the right shape is introduced into the construction. By raising the construction at several points (9), too great stresses in the construction during raising can be avoided. In practice, the amount of required raising points can be slightly varied. The strips (5) can be pre-processed industrially, so as to form modular parts so that the construction of the structure can largely be built up from modular parts. Superfluous panels may subsequently be cut away from the surface by cutting through the hinge, which preferably has the shape as shown in Figure 3.

[0013] Figure 3 shows a hinge joint (10) ,which connects the panels (3) together. The panels (3) are partly shown and are, in fact, sandwiches. Shown is the core (10) and skin layers (11). The core consists of polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam, selected because of its strength properties and further properties with respect to heat-sound insulation and weatherproofness and fire resistance. As far as this is concerned, polyurethane has a little more favorable properties but is somewhat more expensive. The core in Figure 3 is ca. 4 cm in thickness. The skin layers (11) are of fiber-reinforced plastic or metal, preferably steel plates, or of aluminum, in general materials having a high rigidity, which are further weatherproof and fire-resistant and have a high impact resistance. The panels are cut slantwise, at an acute angle α, with a hinge having a fixing end angle being provided, the edges of the panels of the outwardly folded facets of the structure supporting against each other. A good value for such an angle α is 70°. The panels (3) are further bounded by an edge section (12). The edge section (12) is glued to the panel (3) by means of a binary polyurethane glue. The section (12) is of metal, preferably steel, with a PVC coating. The metal section (12) provides a good protection for the panels, but particularly also serves to effect the connection, because on this metal the PVC coating can be united with a strip of PVC cloth (13) by melting. The thermal conductivity of the metal is favorable to effecting the hinge joint (10) by means of so-called thermofast welding. The PVC cloth (13) consists of fiber-reinforced soft polyvinyl chloride and a UV-stabilized upper layer, to obtain great strength and durability during use. Figure 3 shows that the panels (3) have a small distance with respect to each other, of 1-3 mm. A drier, at a temperature of ca. 450°C, is directed to the whole until the cloth begins to shine and then begins to melt. The welded joint has the best quality if the cloth has melted half a millimeter. The PVC coating on the plate has the same effects when it is heated. A good welding result is obtained by directing the drier rather to the section than to the PVC coating (13). By rolling with a roller having a silicone surface, the PVC coating (13) is then fixed to the section so that the whole is pressed together during cooling.

[0014] It is further noted that it is not necessary that the surfaces form a continuous rectangle, as shown, for instance, in Figure 2. Such a rectangular surface leads to Figures 1a or 1b but, for instance, parts may be omitted from this surface so that, for instance, pyramidal shapes (for instance shapes in which the floor surface has the shape of a regular polygon) may also belong to embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, panels may be omitted, or special provisions may be made, to provide door or window openings. Also, the constructions may be further strengthened or fixed, by applying extra tension ropes, supports, trusses or arches.

Claims

1. A structure (1) consisting of an assembly of panels (3, 4, 6,7) which are movable through a hinge joint (10) between a flat position and an erected position, in which flat position a flat surface is formed, and in which erected position the structure can be used as a temporary span, characterized in that the hinge (10) can hinge until a specific maximum end angle, at which end angle the panels form the structure in the erected position.

2. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure in the erected position is fixed by means of a ground section or ground anchors, which keep the panels in fixed connection with the floor surface, which ground section is mobile.

3. A structure according to at least one of claims 1-2; characterized in that the structure is closed and supported on the sides through side panels.

4. A structure according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge joint is water-sealing.

5. A structure according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a number of panels is light-transmitting.

6. A structure according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels are formed from sandwich material with a core (10) having a low density and a high shearing modulus, enclosed by skin layers (11) having a high modulus of elasticity, which are weatherproof and fire-resistant and have a high impact resistance.

7. A structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the core (10) of the panels consists of polystyrene or polyurethane foam being ca. 3-7 cm in thickness.

8. A structure according to at least one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the skin layers (11) of the panels consist of thin steel or aluminum plates or plates of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

9. A structure according to at least one of claims 6-8, characterized in that the panels have an edge section (12) which encloses the core (10) and skin layers (11) of the sandwich, and which is glued to the panel with a binary polyurethane glue.

10. A structure according to at least one of claims 6-9, characterized in that the panels have the shape of an isosceles triangle.

11. A structure according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels have an edge section to which a PVC coating is applied, with the hinge joint formed by welding a strip of PVC cloth (13) to the PVC coating of the edge section.

12. A structure according to claim 11, characterized in that the edge section (12) is of metal.

13. A structure according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the edge section has one acute angle (α) and one obtuse angle, and that the strip of PVC cloth (13) is welded to the section on the side of the acute angle.

14. A structure according to claims 11-13, characterized in that the sections are at a relatively small distance from each other.

15. A structure according to at least one of claims 11-14, characterized in that the PVC cloth (13) consists of fiber-reinforced soft polyvinyl chloride and a UV-stabilized upper layer.

16. A method for manufacturing a structure, which comprises placing panels to be connected together beside each other, which panels, at least on the sides directed towards each other, have an edge section to which a PVC coating is applied; arranging a strip of PVC cloth so that it covers the two edge sections, heating the whole with hot air until the cloth begins to melt; and fastening the strip to the section by rolling with a roller having a silicone surface so that the whole is pressed together during cooling.

Ansprüche

1. Struktur (1) bestehend aus einem Aufbau aus Platten (3, 4, 6, 7), die durch eine Gelenkverbindung (10) zwischen einer flachen und einer aufgerichteten Position beweglich sind, wobei in der flachen Position eine flache Oberfläche gebildet wird und in der aufgerichteten Position die Struktur als eine provisorische Überbrückung verwendet werden kann, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Gelenk (10) bis zu einem spezifischen maximalen Endwinkel schwenken kann, wobei die Platten an diesem Endwinkel die Struktur in der aufgerichteten Stellung bilden.

2. Struktur nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Struktur in der aufgerichteten Stellung mittels eines Bodenabschnitts oder mittels Bodenankern fixiert ist, die die Platten in fixierter Verbindung mit der Bodenfläche halten, wobei der Bodenabschnitt beweglich ist.

3. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Struktur an den Seiten durch Seitenplatten geschlossen und unterstützt wird.

4. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Gelenkverbindung wasserabdichtend ist.

5. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens eine Anzahl von Platten lichtdurchlässig ist.

6. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Platten aus Schichtverbundmaterial mit einem Kern (10) mit niedriger Dichte und einem hohen Schermodul eingeschlossen von Hautschichten (11) mit einem hohen Elastizitätsmodul gebildet sind, die wetterfest und feuerbeständig sind und eine hohe Schlagfestigkeit haben.

7. Struktur nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kern (10) der Platten aus Polystyrol oder Polyurethanschaum mit einer Dicke von circa 3 bis 7 cm besteht.

8. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der Ansprüche 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Hautschichten (11) der Platten aus dünnen Stahl- oder Aluminiumplatten oder aus Platten aus faserverstärktem Kunststoff bestehen.

9. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Platten einen Kantenabschnitt (12) haben, der den Kern (10) und die Hautschichten (11) des Schichtverbunds umfasst und der an der Platte mit einem binären Polyurethanklebstoff festgeklebt ist.

10. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Platten die Form eines gleichschenkligen Dreiecks haben.

11. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Platten einen Kantenabschnitt haben, auf den eine PVC-Schicht aufgebracht ist, wobei die Gelenkverbindung durch Schweißen eines Streifens von PVC-Stoff (13) auf die PVC-Beschichtung des Kantenabschnitts gebildet ist.

12. Struktur nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kantenabschnitt (12) aus Metall ist.

13. Struktur nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kantenabschnitt einen spitzen Winkel (α) und eine stumpfen Winkel hat und daß der Streifen aus PVC-Gewebe (13) an den Abschnitt auf der Seite des spitzen Winkels geschweißt ist.

14. Struktur nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abschnitte einen relativ geringen Abstand voneinander haben.

15. Struktur nach wenigstens einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der PVC-Stoff (13) aus faserverstärktem weichen Polymvinylchlorid und einer UV-stabilisierten oberen Oberschicht besteht.

16. Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Struktur, bei dem miteinander zu verbindende Platten nebeneinander plaziert werden, wobei die Platten, wenigstens auf den aufeinander zu gerichteten Seiten, einen Kantenabschnitt haben, auf den eine PVC-Beschichtung aufgebracht ist; bei dem ein Streifen aus PVC-Stoff so angeordnet wird, daß er zwei Kantenabschnitte überdeckt, das ganze mit Heißluft erwärmt wird bis der Stoff zu schmelzen beginnt; und bei dem der Streifen an dem Abschnitt befestigt wird, indem er mit einer Walze, die eine Silikonoberfläche hat, gewalzt wird, so daß das ganze während des Kühlens zusammengedrückt wird.

Revendications

1. Structure (1) constituée d'un ensemble de panneaux (3, 4, 6, 7) qui sont mobiles par l'intermédiaire d'un joint d'articulation (10) entre une position plate et une position érigée, position plate dans laquelle une surface plate est formée, et position érigée dans laquelle la structure peut être utilisée en tant que halle temporaire, caractérisée en ce que l'articulation (10) peut s'articuler jusqu'à un angle d'extrémité maximum spécifique, angle d'extrémité au niveau duquel les panneaux forment la structure dans la position érigée.

2. Structure selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la structure dans la position érigée est fixée par l'intermédiaire d'un tronçon de fondation ou d'ancrages dans 1e sol, qui maintiennent les panneaux dans une liaison fixe avec la surface du sol, lequel tronçon de fondation est mobile.

3. Structure selon 1a revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que la structure est fermée et supportée sur les côtés par l'intermédiaire de panneaux latéraux.

4. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le joint d'articulation est étanche à l'eau.

5. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins plusieurs panneaux transmettent la lumière.

6. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les panneaux sont formés à partir d'un matériau en sandwich ayant un noyau (10) ayant une faible densité et un grand module de cisaillement, enfermé par des couches de peau (11) ayant un grand module d'élasticité, qui résistent aux intempéries et résistent au feu et ont une grande résistance à l'impact.

7. Structure selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que le noyau (10) des panneaux est constitué de polystyrène ou de polyuréthanne ayant une épaisseur de 3 à 7 cm.

8. Structure selon la revendication 6 ou 7, caractérisée en ce que les couches de peau (11) des panneaux sont constituées de plaques minces d'acier ou d'aluminium ou de plaques de matière plastique renforcée de fibre.

9. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, caractérisée en ce que les panneaux ont un tronçon de bord (12) qui entoure le noyau (10) et les couches de peau (11) du sandwich, et qui est collé sur le panneau à l'aide d'une colle de polyuréthanne binaire.

10. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 9, caractérisée en ce que les panneaux ont la forme de triangles isocèles.

11. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les panneaux ont un tronçon de bord sur lequel un revêtement de PVC est appliqué, le joint d'articulation étant formé par soudure d'une bande de tissu de PVC (13) sur le revêtement de PVC du tronçon de bord.

12. Structure selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que le tronçon de bord (11) est métallique.

13. Structure selon la revendication 11 ou 12, caractérisée en ce que le tronçon de bord a un angle aigu (α) et un angle obtus, et en ce que la bande de tissu de PVC (13) est soudée sur le tronçon sur le côté de l'angle aigu.

14. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 13, caractérisée en ce que les tronçons sont à une distance relativement petite l'un de l'autre.

15. Structure selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 14, caractérisée en ce que le tissu de PVC (13) est constitué de chlorure de polyvinyle doux renforcé de fibre et d'une couche supérieure stabilisée aux rayons UV.

16. Procédé de fabrication d'une structure, qui consiste à placer des panneaux, à relier ensemble, les uns à côté des autres, lesquels panneaux, au moins sur les côtés dirigés en direction l'un de l'autre, ont un tronçon de bord sur lequel un revêtement de PVC est appliqué, agencer une bande de PVC de sorte qu'elle recouvre les deux tronçons de bord, chauffer la totalité à l'aide d'air chaud jusqu'à ce que le tissu commence à fondre, et fixer la bande sur le tronçon en roulant à l'aide d'un rouleau ayant une surface de silicone de sorte que le tout est appuyé ensemble pendant un refroidissement.

Drawing