FRAMEWORK CONSTRUCTION STRUT

Abstract

 A framework construction strut (10) usable both vertically and horizontally for construction of a framework for a wall comprises an elongate hollow extrusion (11) provided at each of a pair of parallel and mutually opposite first longitudinal sides (12) with a support face (14) for supporting a cladding element and at each of a pair of parallel and mutually opposite second longitudinal sides (13), which are perpendicular to the first sides (12), with a respective longitudinal groove (15) adjacent to each of the support faces (14), the grooves serving for reception of fixing means for fixing the strut (10) to a further such strut, to a wall panel or to another component. The extrusion (11) is further provided at one of the second sides (13) with a slot (17) extending over the full length of the strut (10) between the longitudinal grooves (15) of that side and serving for reception of fastening means for use in fastening the strut to another such strut in a butt joint relationship. The grooves (15) are identical and have two opposite sides and a base which is parallel to the second longitudinal sides (13) of the extrusion.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a framework construction strut, to a framework constructed with use of such struts and to a wall constructed with use of the framework.

[0002] Struts for use in constructing framework of a kind that can be employed in the construction of internal walls in buildings, including partition walls or facing walls in washrooms, are known in a variety of forms. Struts are frequently used to create modular constructions in which the dimensions of a framework can be extended in modular manner to meet a particular site specification and the framework is then clad with wall panels of standard sizes. Such struts are frequently made of wood or folded steel, which may satisfy requirements relating to strength, but are subject to constraints with respect to shaping to accept fastenings and other fittings. Accordingly, interconnection of struts to form an assembly can be complicated and with limited adaptability to adjust to the varying demands that may be placed on a wall based on such a framework.

[0003] As an alternative to wood and folded steel, extruded elongate profile members of light metallic or plastics material, commonly called sections or just extrusions, are widely used for constructional and other purposes such as window and door frames and non-structural curtain walls. Extrusions, especially those of plastic, used for such purposes are often integrated in other structures and generally have a limited load-bearing capability. Accordingly, extrusions have not in general supplanted inherently stronger materials, such as steel, for use in creating a self-supporting wall framework, especially a framework intended to support robust cladding elements of greater weight.

[0004] In the case of a partition wall framework described in European Patent Specification EP 1 614 820 A1, use is made of different extrusions for struts forming uprights (vertical use) on the one hand and struts forming cross members (horizontal use) on the other hand, the upright extrusions being simple box sections with slots along the four sides. The cross member extrusions, which are of various designs, are based on a rectangular section and have a pair of parallel and mutually opposite first longitudinal sides and a pair of parallel and mutually opposite second longitudinal sides perpendicular to the first sides. Depending on the design, each of the first sides is either plain or longitudinally slotted, for example to allow attachment of shelf brackets. Each of the second sides is similarly longitudinally slotted and additionally has V-shaped longitudinal grooves, which provide locating detents for tips of spring clips at the top or bottom of a panel. This panel is inserted between two such cross members rather than covering the cross members. The V-shaped grooves as mere detents for a specific spring tip do not impart to the struts forming the cross members any wider scope for fixing the struts to other components, for example attaching brackets to assemble the cross members and uprights into a framework.

[0005] Other extrusion-based struts usable for specialised framework construction are disclosed in European Patent Specification EP 1 803 860 A2 and United States Patent Specification US 3566561. The strut described in the former has pairs of first and second longitudinal sides in similar manner to EP 1 614 820, but in the context of a highly asymmetrical cross-section with longitudinal slots and different shapes of grooves outlying the slots, as well as projections on some of the sides. The strut is specifically designed for co-operation at its sides with other extrusions of a different kind, in particular extrusions associated with panels. The extrusion described in US 3566561, on the other hand, is intended to construct a display stand rather than a wall framework and has a symmetrical form again with pairs of first and second longitudinal sides, but with the sides of one pair represented in each instance by sloping inwardly directed flanges bordering a channel with a slot in its base. The slot can receive the edge of a sheet or the channel can receive a fixing bracket or trim strip. This and other areas of the extrusion, including grooves which are formed in the other sides of the other pair at some distance from the sides represented by sloping flanges, are designed to serve various purposes specific to display stand construction.

[0006] It is therefore the principal object of the invention to provide a framework strut, particularly for construction of a framework for a wall, which is lighter than steel or wood, but without compromising bending strength, and which is flexibly adaptable to allow construction of a torsionally rigid frame, especially on a modular basis with a capability of cladding at more than one side.

[0007] A further object is provision of a strut which offers multiple possibilities of connection with further such struts or other framework components.

[0008] Yet another object is to provide a framework constructed with use of such struts and a wall constructed with the use of the framework, especially a framework and wall capable of disassembly and reassembly.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a framework construction strut usable both vertically and horizontally for construction of a framework for a wall, the strut comprising an elongate hollow extrusion provided at each of a pair of parallel and mutually opposite first longitudinal sides with a planar support face for supporting a cladding element and at each of a pair of parallel and mutually opposite second longitudinal sides perpendicular to the first longitudinal sides with a respective longitudinal groove disposed adjacent to each of the planar support faces and serving for reception of fixing means for fixing the strut to another component, the extrusion being further provided at one of the second longitudinal sides with a slot extending over the full length of the strut between the longitudinal grooves of that side and serving for reception of fastening means for use in fastening the strut to another such strut in a butt joint relationship, characterised in that the grooves are identical and each have two opposite groove sides and a groove base which connects the groove sides and is parallel to the second longitudinal sides of the extrusion.

[0011] By comparison with struts of folded steel or wood, a strut embodying the present invention, thus a strut in the form of a hollow extrusion, offers the advantage of integrated fastening solutions to enable fixing of several such struts together to form a wall framework, especially a framework for a facing wall with a cladding element at one framework side or a partition wall with a cladding element at both framework sides. The thickness of a framework constructed with use of such a strut, in particular the thickness defined by the spacing of the two first longitudinal sides of the strut extrusion, can be sufficient to readily accommodate internal fittings such as conduits, which are then concealed. The specific design of the extrusion with the differently positioned grooves and slot provides multiple possibilities of connection to other such struts for creation of a framework and also to, for example, cladding elements for covering the framework. The extrusion can be significantly lighter than steel or wood counterparts, while offering comparable or even greater strength in bending by virtue of its hollow boxlike shape defined by the pairs of opposite longitudinal sides. Such a strut, whether oriented vertically or horizontally, is especially suitable for load-bearing applications and has the advantage that it is optimised for use in both orientations and can thus be joined to other such struts in butt joint relationships using, for example, fixing brackets engaging in the grooves, fastening means engaging in the slot, or both forms of connection. The strut can be provided in a single standard length or several standard lengths and in either case cut to a desired final length. Since the grooves and slot are continuous in the strut, reduction of the strut length has no effect on the functionality of the grooves and slot. The groove shape, with a groove base parallel to and spaced by the groove walls from the respective one of the second longitudinal sides provides a firm seat for the fixing means for fixing the strut to another strut or other component, such as a retaining device for the cladding element, and establishes a datum for a right-angled relationship of the strut to that other strut or component. In addition, the mutual perpendicularity of the two pairs of longitudinal sides means that the groove bases are necessarily also perpendicular to the first longitudinal sides and thus to the planar support faces and any cladding element which is supported over an area by those faces. This contributes to creation by the struts of a framework and ultimately a wall with all principal components in appropriately square relationship. Since the grooves are identical, a common form of fixing means can be used in any of the grooves, with the result that the strut is characterised by features which permit economic and simple construction of a wall framework from a number of the struts with secure joints and adherence to high standards of geometric parallelism and perpendicularity of the framework components.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment the extrusion has two spaced-apart intermediate walls extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal sides and between the second longitudinal sides to brace the second longitudinal sides relative to one another. This imparts rigidity to the extrusion to compensate for any reduction in torsional and bending strength due to the spacing of the first longitudinal sides, thus the width or thickness of the strut in the direction of that spacing, and the interruption of one of the second longitudinal sides by the full-length slot. For preference, each of the intermediate walls is positioned to separate a respective region of the extrusion with two of the grooves from a region with the slot, whereby the walls are clear of the grooves and slot and can be positioned approximately equidistantly from one another and from the first longitudinal sides so that bracing can be provided at uniform intervals across the strut. Each of the intermediate walls can in that case be positioned to bound two of the grooves at sides thereof remote from the adjacent one of first longitudinal sides.

[0013] Additional strengthening of the strut may be achieved if the extrusion has a bracing wall extending between the intermediate walls and substantially parallel to the second longitudinal sides to brace the first longitudinal sides relative to one another. Such a bracing wall, in conjunction with the intermediate walls, strengthens the extrusion by providing resistance - at a location between the first longitudinal sides - to any widening or narrowing of the slot under a bending load tending to squeeze the first longitudinal sides towards one another or tending to urge them apart. In that case, for preference the bracing wall is substantially equidistantly spaced from the second longitudinal sides, so that the bracing effect is applied sufficiently close to the second longitudinal side with the slot, but not so close that the bracing wall restricts the internal space available to accommodate fastening means components.

[0014] In a preferred construction of the extrusion, the slot is bounded by flanges which are directed towards the bracing wall and define therewith a receiving space internally of the extrusion for captive reception of a component of such fastening means. The fastening means can be, for example, a threaded fastener in the form of a nut and a stud or bolt, in which case the stud or bolt can extend through the slot and the nut can be located, preferably so as to be secure against turning, in the receiving space. Such a fastener can be a proprietary item in which the nut can be urged against the free edges of the flanges by a spring bearing against the bracing wall.

[0015] For preference, each of the grooves is bounded at each of two mutually opposite longitudinal sides thereof by a respective tolerance lip capable of being reduced in size to widen the groove, which provides a simple means of adjustment to accommodate fixing means, such as a fixing, bracket which may happen to be slightly oversize. Since the lips can be relatively thin, they can be readily locally reduced in size, in the sense of increasing the spacing between them, by grinding, filing or cutting depending on the respective material.

[0016] Fixing of the strut to a further such strut may be enhanced if the extrusion is provided in its interior with two spaced-apart longitudinal ribs for positional location therebetween of a part of such fixing means. Such ribs can engage edges of the fixing means, for example bracket arms or limbs, to define a consistent position of the fixing means relative to the strut and to contribute to the rigidity of strut interconnections, in particular interconnections in the form of butt joints.

[0017] In order to improve cross-sectional strength of the extrusion, a variable cross-sectional thickness can be provided to make it possible to focus strength in the areas where it is most needed while saving material and thus weight in other areas. For example, the mentioned intermediate walls and bracing wall can be thicker in cross-section than, for example, the parts of the extrusion defining the first longitudinal sides and the grooves. The strut is preferably made of aluminium alloy, although other extrudable materials may be possible if requirements relating to strength and bending resistance can be met by, for example, appropriate wall thickness. If the strut is made of alloy, it can be finished with, for example, a polyester-based powder coating.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a framework comprising a plurality of struts each according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the struts define a frame formed by at least two first ones of the struts arranged substantially parallel to and at a spacing from one another and at least two second ones of the struts arranged substantially parallel to and at a spacing from one another and substantially perpendicular to the first struts, the first struts and the second struts meeting one another at butt joints and being connected together at the joints by connecting means engaged at least in part in at least some of the grooves, at least some of the slots or at least some of the grooves and the slots of the struts.

[0019] A framework constructed in this manner may be characterised by a particularly high level of torsional or diagonal rigidity by virtue of the firm interconnections at the butt joints achieved through engagement of the connecting means selectively in the grooves and slots of the struts. This degree of rigidity is particularly desirable in the case of a framework having a greater thickness such as required for a partition wall and, in that case, clad at both sides. An assembly of that kind is subject to a higher loading, which would have the potential to result in distortion of the framework without the benefit of multiple rigid interconnections of the struts.

[0020] The connecting means may be provided in a variety of forms and in one advantageous realisation comprises a respective fixing bracket arranged at each of at least some of the butt joints, the bracket having a bracket part received in one of the grooves of one of the struts participating in that joint and a further bracket part received in the interior of the other one of the struts participating in that joint and the bracket being fastened to each of those struts. The fixing brackets, which are partly concealed in the grooves and fully concealed in the strut interiors, can be secured to the struts by suitable fasteners, such as bolts or setscrews. The use of threaded fasteners permits simple assembly as well as subsequent disassembly and reassembly. For preference, the part of the bracket received in the groove is mechanically positively located therein, in particular by engagement with or abutment against sides, for example lips, of the groove. The resulting firm location of the bracket in the respective groove contributes to the mentioned torsional rigidity of the framework. In similar manner, the part of each bracket received in the interior can be mechanically positively located therein, for example by way of engagement with or abutment against the mentioned longitudinal ribs in the interior of the extrusion. This makes a further contribution to frame rigidity.

[0021] In one embodiment, at least one of the brackets is substantially U-shaped, the base of the U being the part received in the groove and the parallel arms of the U being the part received in the interior. The U-shaped configuration means that the two arms of the bracket can be fixed to two opposite strut sides, in particular the second longitudinal sides. Such a bracket not only provides a firm connection, but also, except for the part in the groove, is concealed in the assembled framework. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the brackets can be substantially F-shaped, the upright of the F being the part received in the groove and the parallel arms of the F being the part received in the interior. The arms of this bracket can be fixed in similar manner to those of the U-shaped bracket, but in this instance the upright of the F - which connects the arms - may be longer and extend over a greater length in the groove in which it is received. Accordingly, it can be secured in the groove at spaced-apart fixing points to provide an even firmer connection.

[0022] In another embodiment, the connecting means may comprise a respective fastening plate arranged at each of at least some of the butt joints and fastening means fastening the plate to each of the struts participating in the respective joint, the fastening means comprising first components extending through the slots of those struts and second components captive within the struts and co-operating with the first components. The fastening plates provide enhanced security of the strut interconnections at the butt joint locations to achieve even greater torsional rigidity of the framework and strong resistance to lozenging of the framework under load. The fastening plates are preferably substantially L-shaped so as to bear firmly against each of the struts and thereby ensure that struts connected together at butt joints incorporating the plates are immovable relative to one another when subjected to the level of loading likely to be encountered in the context of a wall framework.

[0023] The present invention also embraces, in a third aspect, a wall comprising a framework according to the second aspect of the invention and a cladding element supported at the support faces of the struts at one of two opposite sides of the framework, the cladding element being attached to the struts by attaching means engaged in the grooves thereof adjacent to the support face at said one of the framework sides. The weight of such a wall will, to a substantial extent, depend on the weight of the cladding element, with only a smaller proportion of the overall weight being attributable to the framework itself and strut connectors. Accordingly, assuming use of only a moderately heavy cladding element, a wall constructed with use of that framework can be relatively light, yet rigid.

[0024] For preference, the wall comprises a further cladding element supported at the support faces of the struts at the other one of the two opposite sides of the framework, the further cladding element being attached to the struts by attaching means engaged in grooves thereof adjacent to the support face at said other one of the framework sides. A wall with two such cladding elements is usable as, especially, a partition wall and has a rigid, self-supporting construction by virtue of the strut cross-sectional dimension, particularly the width represented by the spacing between the first longitudinal sides of the extrusion, and the scope for multiple points of strut interconnection at the framework butt joints.

[0025] In an advantageous construction, the attaching means for the cladding element or elements may comprise hinges permitting pivotation of the respective attached element relative to the framework. This feature affords convenient access to the interior of the wall. Such a hinged cladding element can be releasably secured or latched in a closed position. A typical wall will normally include a plurality of such cladding elements, especially wall panels, at each side of the framework, the framework and wall panels being of modular format. Thus, for example, a framework may typically comprise struts of a given length placed horizontally to create horizontal runs at the top and bottom and further struts placed vertically and connected to the horizontal struts to form a framework of desired height and length, the framework then being clad with an appropriate number of wall panels again of given dimensions. In this way a wall of selected size can be produced in modular manner by aggregation of units, i.e. struts and panels, of entirely or mostly standard sizes, but subject to reduction of strut length where necessary.

[0026] In addition, the wall may include conduits passing transversely through struts of the framework intended to be upright in an erected state of the wall, so that services can be integrated in the wall, for example water pipes and electrical conduits, and thus concealed. Openings for conduits can be formed at the outset at preselected locations or simply formed as required at the time of framework assembly. Assembly can be undertaken, for example, by prefabricating a bespoke wall at a facility remote from an intended installation site, disassembling the wall, transporting the disassembled wall to the site, reassembling the wall at the site and erecting the reassembled wall, such as by fixing it by brackets to a floor, ceiling and/or other wall or walls. This procedure allows construction of the wall in factory or workshop conditions and also equipping with fittings, such as the mentioned conduits. The wall can then be dismantled and subsequently erected and reassembled at the installation site without the need for any, or at least extensive, manufacturing or building activity at the site. The assembly, disassembly and reassembly are facilitated by the inclusion of grooves and a slot in each strut at positions making it possible to conveniently use brackets, plates and other forms of connecting means able to be detachably secured by, especially, threaded fasteners.

[0027] A preferred embodiment will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

is a cross-section of a strut embodying the invention;

Fig. 2

is a perspective view of part of a wall framework constructed with use of struts embodying the invention, showing two such struts connected together in a butt joint relationship by two forms of connecting means;

Fig. 3

is a sectional view, partly along the line III - III of Fig. 1, showing a first one of the forms of strut connecting means of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

is a sectional view, along the line IV - IV of Fig. 1, showing part of a second one of the forms of strut connecting means of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5

is a schematic perspective view of part a wall framework, in particular the framework of Fig. 2, constructed with the use of struts embodying the invention.

[0028] Referring now to the drawings there is shown in Fig. 1 a framework construction strut 10 able to be used both vertically and horizontally for construction of a framework for a wall, especially a partition wall. Such a framework, of which a part is shown in Fig. 2, will typically be composed of two parallel and spaced-apart horizontal struts forming a top and bottom of the framework and several parallel and spaced-apart vertical struts forming two opposite vertical ends of the framework and one or more intermediate braces, the vertical and horizontal struts being disposed in a single plane and meeting one another at butt joints where they are rigidly connected together. Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of an individual strut and Fig. 2 shows segments of a vertical strut and a horizontal strut in the region of such a butt joint. A particular feature of a wall constructed on the basis of such a framework is that it can be prefabricated at a factory from standard components in a modular manner to different dimensions and for different specific purposes and then disassembled, transported to a place of installation, reassembled and installed. It will be understood that construction as a partition wall is merely an example of a range of possible uses. However, a feature of such a wall is that it is constructed from load-bearing components to be self-supporting.

[0029] The strut 10 is formed by an elongate hollow extrusion 11 of light metal, in particular aluminium alloy, of a geometric, generally oblong cross-section defined in outline by a pair of parallel and mutually opposite first longitudinal sides 12 and a pair of parallel and mutually opposite second longitudinal sides 13 which are perpendicular to and longer than the first sides 12.

[0030] In the case of the first sides 12, the extrusion 11 has at each of those sides a planar external support face 14 for supporting a cladding element, such as a wall panel, so that a framework constructed with use of the strut 10 can be clad at one side or at each side by a wall panel to form a wall which, if clad at only one side, may function as a facing wall connectible with a supporting structure or, if clad at both sides, may serve as a freestanding partition wall for anchoring to a floor and to a ceiling or other overhead support.

[0031] In the case of the second sides 13 the extrusion is formed at each of those sides and over the full length of the strut with a respective shallow longitudinal groove 15 disposed adjacent to each of the support faces 14 and serving for reception of fixing means, such as explained further below with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, for fixing the strut to another component, particularly the extrusion of another such strut at a butt joint in a framework incorporating the struts and/or a cladding element bearing against the respective support face. As shown in the drawings each of the grooves 15 has two opposite groove sides and a groove base which connects the groove sides and is parallel to the second longitudinal sides 13 of the extrusion. All four grooves 15 are identical and each has a constant width and depth so as to be unchanging along the length of the strut. By virtue of the identical nature of the grooves, a common form of fixing means can be used in any one of the grooves. As evident in, in particular, Fig. 1 each of the grooves 15 is bounded at each of two mutually opposite longitudinal sides by a respective tolerance lip 16 capable of being reduced in size, i.e. the extent to which it projects towards the other lip, to widen the groove to provide a snug fit for received fixing means. Reduction in size can be achieved by the simple expedient of local filing, grinding or cutting. Further, the extrusion 11 is internally provided in the region of each of the grooves 15 with two spaced-apart longitudinal ribs 20 for positional location therebetween of a part of received fixing means. The two features relating to receipt of the fixing means are alternatively functional depending on the deployment of the strut 10: either a groove 15 of the struts 10 receives part of the fixing means and the rest of the fixing means engages in the interior of the other strut involved in creation of a butt joint and is positionally located by relevant longitudinal ribs of the other strut, or else the longitudinal ribs 20 of the strut 10 locate part of the fixing means received in the interior of the strut 10 and the rest of the fixing means is received in a relevant groove of that other strut. Each individual strut thus has two different features for different co-operation with fixing means depending on how the strut is used.

[0032] In addition, the extrusion 11 is provided at one of the second sides 13 with a slot 17 extending over the full length of the strut 10 between the two longitudinal grooves 15 of that side and serving for reception of fastening means for use in fastening the strut 10 to another such strut in a butt joint relationship. The slot 17 is bounded by flanges 18 directed inwardly of the extrusion and away from the slot entrance so as to define an internal receiving space 19 for captive reception of components of the fastening means, as explained further below with reference to Figs. 2 and 4.

[0033] In view of the width of the extrusion 11, i.e. the spacing between the first sides 12, and the loads to which the strut may be subject in use, for example in the case of a strut forming part of a framework which is clad at both sides to serve as a partition wall, the extrusion has two spaced-apart intermediate walls 21 extending substantially parallel to the first sides 12 and between the second sides 13 to brace the latter relative to one another, as evident in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 1. Parts of the intermediate walls 21 also serve to form opposite boundaries of the receiving space 19 and also some of the edge boundaries of the grooves 15. Accordingly, each of the intermediate walls 21 is positioned to separate a respective region of the extrusion with two directly opposite ones of the grooves 15, thus a region having one of the grooves of one of the first sides 12 and also having one of the grooves of the other first side 12, from a central region with the slot 17. The intermediate walls 21 thus provide bracing in optimum positions between the disruptions resulting from the formation of the grooves 15 and slot 17

[0034] The extrusion 11 is completed by a further internally disposed bracing wall 22 extending between the intermediate walls 21 parallel to the second sides 13 to brace the first sides 12 relative to one another, in particular to resist bending of the extrusion about the second wall 13 without the slot. The bracing wall 22 thus makes up for any loss of compressive strength of the extrusion that might otherwise arise due to the presence of the full-length slot 17. In order to optimise this reinforcing effect, the bracing wall 22 is equidistantly spaced from the second sides 13, in which position the wall determines the depth of and closes off the receiving space 19. As an additional function, the bracing wall 22 also serves to support components of fastening means engaging through the slot and received in the receiving space, as shown in Fig. 4 and described further below.

[0035] Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5, creation of a wall framework 23 from a number of the struts 10 connected together by butt joints entails use of fixing means engaging in the grooves 15 and/or fastening means engaging in the slots 17 of the struts. Completion of such a framework as a partition wall by application of cladding elements involves use of a different form of fixing means, again engaging in the grooves 15, for connection of the elements with the struts. As already mentioned, the presence of the grooves 15 and slot 17 in each strut creates multiple connection possibilities to meet different requirements and to achieve, especially, a desired level of framework rigidity

[0036] In the case of a first form of fixing means for interconnection of struts of the framework 23 in a butt joint relationship making use of the grooves 15, the fixing means comprises a fixing bracket 24 fixable to each of the two struts 10 participating in each butt joint. Two such brackets, which respectively engage in the grooves 15 at the two second sides 13, are provided at each of the joints. The fixing bracket 24 can be, for example, F-shaped as shown in Fig. 3 or U-shaped (not shown). In the case of the former and with reference to the orientation of the struts 10 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the parallel arms 24a of the F are received in the interior of the vertical strut 10 and mechanically positively located therein. This is achieved by engagement of the edges of the two arms 24a with correspondingly positioned ones of the longitudinal ribs 20 present at the two mutually facing internal surfaces of the second sides 13 of the strut. The arms 24a are thus held between the ribs 20 so that the struts are prevented from twisting or tilting relative to one another. The upright 24b of the F - here the upright is oriented horizontally - is received in the groove 15 in the adjacent one of the second sides 13 of the horizontal strut 10 and mechanically positively located therein by the tolerance lips 16 directed towards one another and bearing against the edges of the bracket 24. As mentioned, the lips can be reduced in size so as to widen the groove in order to ensure that the bracket 24 can snugly fit in the groove in a case where the bracket, specifically the upright 24b of the F, is initially slightly oversize. The bracket 24 is secured in place by, for example, setscrews 25, which are schematically shown in the drawings by dot-dash lines or by crosses representing screw heads, in particular a respective setscrew 25 extending through each second side 13 of the vertical strut 10 and the associated one of the parallel arms 24a of the F of the bracket and a further setscrew 25 extending through the upright 24b of the F of the bracket and the adjacent one of the second sides 13 of the horizontal strut 10. The setscrews can be screwed into nuts (not shown) or simply into threaded bores in the arms 24a of the bracket or in the strut material. The setscrews can, if desired, have a self-tapping capability.

[0037] The U-shaped version of the fixing bracket, which is not shown, can be positioned and fixed in analogous manner to the F-shaped bracket 24, with the difference that the base of the U is not as long as the upright 24b of the F and accordingly the bracket lies wholly within the interior of the vertical strut 10 and a notional projection thereof. In the case of both brackets, the parallel arms of the F or U are concealed in the interior of the vertical strut and the rest of the bracket housed in an adjoining groove 15 of the horizontal strut. Also not shown is a form of fixing means for attaching a cladding element. Such a fixing means can be realised as, for example, an attaching hinge secured to the element and received in one of the grooves 15 of a vertically oriented strut 10, the hinge being suitably secured to the strut. Other forms of fixing means can be provided for that purpose, including attaching lugs or mounts secured to a horizontally oriented strut 10. Multiple hinges, lugs, mounts or other such fixing means can be used in distribution over the struts to bear the weight of the cladding element, use being made in each instance of the grooves 15 as locations for the fixing means.

[0038] With respect to fastening means making use of the slots 17 for fastening the struts together, in particular fastening means functioning as part of connecting means for strut interconnection, in the construction shown in Figs 2 and 4 the connecting means comprises a respective L-shaped fastening plate 26 arranged at each of at least some of the butt joints and several fastening means 27 fastening the plate to each of the struts 10 participating in the respective joint. Each fastening means 27 comprises a first component extending through the slot 17 of the vertical or horizontal participating strut and second components captive within the struts and co-operating with the first component. In the illustrated example, the components of each fastening means 27 are a respective male component in the form of a bolt 28 extending through the slot 17 of the strut 10 concerned and a female component in the form of a plate nut 29 located in the receiving space 19 of that strut and urged against the free edges of the flanges 18 by a compression spring 30. The plate nut 29 is grooved to engage the edges of the flanges 18 so as to be secure against turning when the bolt is screwed into the nut. The plate nut 19 is thus firmly located and captive in the receiving space 19, but in a freely selectable position along the space, i.e. along the edges of the flanges 18. Two such fastening means 27 are provided for each arm of each fastening plate 26, the bolt 28 of each fastening means passing through a respective opening in the plate to enter the slot 17 of the vertical or horizontal strut 10, as the case may be, and threadedly engage in the associated nut 29.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 1, the cross-sectional thickness of the extrusion 11 of the strut 10 can vary depending on the strength required in different areas, so as to achieve a balance between strength, lightness and minimal consumption of strut material. Specifically, the cross-sectional thickness of the bracing wall 22, the intermediate walls 21 and the centre parts of the second sides 12 between the walls 21 is greater than in the rest of the extrusion, thus greater than the regions outlying the walls 21. Those regions contain the first sides 12 and the parts of the second sides 13 with the grooves 15. The greatest strength, i.e. greatest cross-sectional thickness, of the extrusion 11 is consequently focused in the area where the strut will be connected by the relatively heavy-duty fastening plate 26 with another such strut, thus an area of maximum application of load to a framework constructed from the struts. The optional combination of fastening plate 26 using the slot 17 and fixing brackets 24 using the grooves 15 results in a particularly rigid interconnection of the struts at each butt joint location.

[0040] A part of the framework 23 is shown in Fig. 5, in particular top and bottom horizontal struts 10, a vertical end strut 10 and two vertical intermediate struts 10. Prior to assembly of the framework, the struts are cut to length to provide desired height and length dimensions of the finished construction. A section of a cladding element 31, namely a wall panel, is shown at one side of the framework as an indication of construction of a wall incorporating the framework. Wall panels can be provided at both sides to create a self-supporting partition wall. The struts 10 meet at butt joints and are rigidly connected together at each joint by a fastening plate 26, which is secured by securing bolts 28 and nuts 29 (not visible), and by two outlying fixing brackets 24, which are secured by setscrews 25. The illustrated form of the framework is merely an example of disposition and interconnection of the struts 10, the layout of which may vary from one wall to the next. Moreover, the framework may include additional strut lengths (not shown), for example intermediate bracing lengths extending horizontally between and connected in similar manner with the vertical struts at positions intermediate the top and bottom struts. The oblong form of cross-section of the extrusions 11 results in a framework thickness sufficient to accommodate water pipe runs, electrical conduits and other desired media for supply of services, all of which are concealed in a case where the framework is clad by wall panels to form a wall. Two water pipes 32, which pass through openings formed in the vertical struts 10 at desired positions, are shown in Fig. 5 merely by way of example.

[0041] A wall produced in this manner is of modular construction, in particular a construction based on standard framework struts 10, fixing brackets 24, fastening plates 26 and wall panels, which are combined to create a wall of any desired height and length on a grid-like modular basis. A particular advantage, apart from the light weight and strength resulting from the extrusions 11 forming the core members of the framework 23, is the capability of bespoke construction of such a wall in a factory equipped with cutting/sawing and drilling tools or machines. After construction on a provisional basis, the wall can be disassembled simply by release of the various threaded fasteners 25, 28 and 29 connecting the wall components together and the wall components then transported in manageable sizes to the place of installation for reassembly and installation. As a result, manufacturing processes at the place of installation can be largely or entirely eliminated.

Claims

1. A framework construction strut (10) usable both vertically and horizontally for construction of a framework (23) for a wall, the strut (10) comprising an elongate hollow extrusion (11) provided

at each of a pair of parallel and mutually opposite first longitudinal sides (12) with a planar support face (14) for supporting a cladding element (31)

and at each of a pair of parallel and mutually opposite second longitudinal sides (13) perpendicular to the first longitudinal sides (12) with a respective longitudinal groove (15) disposed adjacent to each of the planar support faces (14) and serving for reception of fixing means (24) for fixing the strut (10) to another component,

the extrusion (11) being further provided at one of the second longitudinal sides (13) with a slot (17) extending over the full length of the strut (10) between the longitudinal grooves (15) of that side (13) and serving for reception of fastening means (27) for use in fastening the strut (10) to another such strut in a butt joint relationship,

characterised in that the grooves (15) are identical and each have two opposite groove sides and a groove base which connects the groove sides and is parallel to the second longitudinal sides (13) of the extrusion (11).

2. A strut according to claim 1, wherein the extrusion (11) has two spaced-apart intermediate walls (21) extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal sides (12) and between the second longitudinal sides (13) to brace the second longitudinal sides (13) relative to one another.

3. A strut according to claim 2, wherein each of the intermediate walls (21) is positioned to separate a respective region of the extrusion (11) with two of the grooves (15) from a region with the slot (17).

4. A strut according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the extrusion (11) has a bracing wall (22) extending between the intermediate walls (21) and substantially parallel to the second longitudinal sides (13) to brace the first longitudinal sides (12) relative to one another.

5. A strut according to claim 4, wherein the bracing wall (22) is substantially equidistantly spaced from the second longitudinal sides (13).

6. A strut according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the slot (17) is bounded by flanges (18) which are directed towards the bracing wall (22) and define therewith a receiving space internally of the extrusion (11) for captive reception of a component (29) of such fastening means (27).

7. A strut according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the grooves (15) is bounded at each of two mutually opposite longitudinal sides thereof by a respective tolerance lip (18) capable of being reduced in size to widen the groove (15).

8. A framework (23) comprising a plurality of struts (10) each according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the struts (10) define a frame formed by at least two first ones of the struts (10) arranged substantially parallel to and at a spacing from one another and at least two second ones of the struts (10) arranged substantially parallel to and at a spacing from one another and substantially perpendicular to the first struts, the first struts and the second struts meeting one another at butt joints and being connected together at the joints by connecting means engaged at least in part in at least some of the grooves (15), at least some of the slots (17) or at least some of the grooves (15) and the slots (17) of the struts.

9. A framework according to claim 8, the connecting means comprising a respective fixing bracket (24) arranged at each of at least some of the butt joints, the bracket (24) having a bracket part (24b) received in one of the grooves (15) of one of the struts (10) participating in that joint and a further bracket part (24a) received in the interior of the other one of the struts (10) participating in that joint and the bracket (24) being fastened to each of those struts.

10. A framework according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the bracket part (24b) received in the groove and the bracket part (24a) received in the interior is mechanically positively located in place.

11. A framework according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein at least one of the brackets (24) is substantially U-shaped or F-shaped, the base of the U or the upright (24b) of the F being the part received in the groove (15) and the parallel arms of the U or those (24b) of the F being the part received in the interior.

12. A framework according to any one of claims 8 to 11, the connecting means comprising a respective fastening plate (26) arranged at each of at least some of the butt joints and fastening means (27) fastening the plate (26) to each of the struts (10) participating in the respective butt joint, the fastening means (27) comprising first components (28) extending through the slots (17) of those struts and second components (29) captive within those struts and co-operating with the first components (28).

13. A wall comprising a framework (23) according to any one of claims 8 to 12 and a cladding element (31) supported at the support faces (14) of the struts (10) at least at one of two opposite sides of the framework (23), the or each cladding element (31) being attached to the struts (10) by attaching means engaged in the grooves (15) thereof adjacent to the support faces at which that cladding element is supported.

14. A wall according to claim 13, the attaching means comprising hinges permitting pivotation of the attached cladding element relative to the framework.

15. A wall according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the wall includes conduits (32) passing transversely through struts of the framework intended to be upright in an erected state of the wall.

Drawing