Panel securing means and method

Claim 1

An enclosure constructed by securing a plurality of panels together comprising a base, a plurality of generally T-shaped cross-section vertical columns fixed in predetermined positions around the periphery of said base, the upper free end of each of said columns including an opening formed therein, a tensioning rod extending between adjacent pairs of vertical columns and extending around the periphery of said enclosure, a plurality of wall elements insertable between vertical columns and sealingly held therebetween a plurality of roof elements corresponding to said wall elements and having a casting securely held in the lower outer corners of each of said roofing elements and arranged with the castings of adjacent panels disposed on opposite sides of the vertical columns, said elements being supported by said wall panels and said vertical columns, holding means extending through the top portion of each of said vertical columns for securing the pair of castings of adjacent roof panels to said columns, a compression member interconnecting the inner free ends of the roof elements, and sealing means extending along the entire length of the opposed side edges of adjacent roof elements, said sealing elements comprising mating male and female elements secured to the opposed side edges whereby, when said roof elements are fixedly secured to said column by the securing means passing through said column and said corner castings, said sealing means are firmly in contact with each other, and a rigid self-supporting, integrated, weatherproof enclosure will be formed.

Claim 9

A method for constructing an enclosure comprising: a. forming a base; b. securing a plurality of generally T-shaped cross-section columns vertically around the periphery of said base; c. inserting a vertical cap strip over the free base portion of the leg of each T-shaped column; d. inserting a wall panel into one side of each column and extending between adjacent columns; e. fixing a corner casting of a perdetermined shape into the two bottom corners of a roofing element; f. securing a casting from an adjacent pair of roof panels to the top of each column; and g. providing mating sealing means between the opposed side surfaces of the said roof element whereby, when all of said roof elements and said wall elements are in position, and forced into mating contact with each other, said enclosure will be self-supporting, integrated and weatherproof.

Claim 10

A method for constructing an enclosure comprising: a. forming a base; b. securing a plurality of generally T-shaped cross-section columns vertically around the periphery of said base; c. inserting a vertical cap strip over the free base portion of the leg of each T-shaped column; d. inserting a wall panel into one side of each column and extending between adjacent columns; e. fixing a corner casting of a perdetermined shape into the two bottom corners of a roofing element; f. securing a casting from an adjacent pair of roof panels to the top of each column; and g. providing mating sealing means between the opposed side surfaces of the said roof element whereby, when all of said roof elements and said wall elements are in position, and forced into mating contact with each other, said enclosure will be self-supporting, integrated and weatherproof.