EP0016704B1 - Building with an internal modular structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a building and, more particularly, a single-family house comprising juxtaposed freestanding modules, each constituting one or more rooms whose linings and internal fittings have been laid and / or installed in the factory, the modules being transported and permanently installed on the building site, the actual walls and the roof of the building, resting on the said walls, being raised in a traditional way.

The efforts undertaken so far to rationalize and therefore reduce the cost prices of residential buildings, including single-family homes, have mainly focused on the prefabrication of exterior walls and partitions panel by panel.

It has also been planned to manufacture plastered partition panels which can be used as partition walls or as counter-partitions, along the exterior walls. However, these panels do not allow to exceed a certain stage of development so that once they have been installed many finishing works remain to be done, such as electrical installations, paintings and / or work of upholsterers, etc. It follows that, these finishing works calling on several trades, the part of the time saving obtained by the prefabrication of the shell is hidden by finishes which seem to drag on in length.

In addition, the construction of mobile homes, such as larger or smaller caravans, has made significant progress in recent years and it is well known that a caravan currently includes almost all the amenities found in a house. The differences relate in fact to sizing, choices of lighter base materials, but not to the functions of the various arrangements.

An object of the present invention is to provide a building which, for the interior thereof, uses techniques used in the construction of caravans or housing.

Buildings with modular internal structures are already known, such as those described in patent US-A-3,466,818 and patent DE-C-898,079. In the building described in patent US-A-3,466,818 , some of the external walls of the modules carry their final external coverings and the others are designed to receive very thin coverings, which considerably weighs down the modules and does not allow the materials of the walls to be chosen as desired.

In patent DE-C-898 079, the internal structure consists of juxtaposed freestanding modules whose internal fittings are installed in the factory. More particularly, the modules are provided with sufficient strength to withstand earthquakes, hence their circular horizontal shape. Once installed, they are coated with insulating material which carries a coating which is a simple covering composed of metal sheets, half bricks, etc. In some embodiments, half-stone coverings are attached to the modules.

An essential object of the invention is to provide a building of the type of that of patent DE-C-898 079, and which has the appearance of a traditional house, that is to say which comprises conventional external walls, room geometries with a classic appearance.

Furthermore, in US Pat. No. 3,023,404, it is provided, in order to prevent the window frames from being soiled during the finishing of the coverings of a building, to enclose them in sealed bags.

Another essential object of the invention also consists in providing means to prevent the interiors of the modules from being soiled during the raising of the walls, of the roof and the laying of the cover. In accordance with the invention, the objects mentioned above are achieved by the use of the combinations of means defined in the characterizing part of the main claim supplemented by the dependent claims. More generally, during the elevation of the walls, access to the module being completely unnecessary, is prohibited by closing by suitable removable means all the openings.

It will also appear hereinafter that the time required for the walls to rise and the framing and covering to be laid constitutes practically the entire duration of the site proper, which makes it possible to reduce delivery to 2.5 or 3 months approximately. a traditional detached house.

• la Fig. 1 est une vue en coupe horizontale d'une structure de bâtiment suivant l'invention,
• la Fig. 2 est une vue en coupe verticale du bâtiment de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 3 est une vue en coupe verticale des moyens d'assemblage inférieurs de deux modules autostables entrant dans la composition du bâtiment,
• la Fig. 4 est une vue en coupe horizontale de moyens d'assemblage de deux modules au niveau d'un passage d'un module à l'autre, soit le détail 1 de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 5 est une vue en coupe horizontale de moyens d'assemblage de deux modules au niveau d'un encadrement de porte entre deux modules, soit le détail 2 de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 6 est une vue en coupe horizontale montrant le détail 3 de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 7 est une vue en coupe horizontale montrant le détail 4 de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 8 est une vue en coupe horizontale illustrant le montage d'une fenêtre, soit le détail 5 de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 9 est une vue en coupe verticale montrant le bas de la fenêtre de la Fig. 8,
• la Fig. 10 est une vue en coupe verticale montrant le haut de la fenêtre de la Fig. 8,
• la Fig. 11 est une vue en coupe verticale montrant une variante du montage de la Fig. 10, quand la fenêtre est pourvue de volet à rouleau,
• la Fig. 12 est une vue en coupe verticale montrant le bas d'une porte d'entrée, et
• la Fig. 13 est une vue en coupe verticale montrant le bas d'une porte-fenêtre.

The objects and characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings among which:

• Fig. 1 is a view in horizontal section of a building structure according to the invention,
• Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section of the building of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section of the lower assembly means of two freestanding modules used in the composition of the building,
• Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal section of means for assembling two modules at the level of a passage from one module to the other, that is detail 1 of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 5 is a view in horizontal section of means for assembling two modules at the level of a door frame between two modules, or detail 2 of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 6 is a horizontal section view showing the detail 3 of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 7 is a horizontal section view showing detail 4 of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 8 is a view in horizontal section illustrating the mounting of a window, or detail 5 of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing the bottom of the window of FIG. 8,
• Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the top of the window of FIG. 8,
• Fig. 11 is a vertical section view showing a variant of the assembly of FIG. 10, when the window is provided with a roller shutter,
• Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing the bottom of an entry door, and
• Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing the bottom of a French window.

The section of FIG. 1 shows a ground floor of a detached house comprising a structure according to the invention. This structure comprises four modules 6, 7, 8 and 9, each having a parallelepipedal external shape, which are placed, in this order, one next to the other. The four modules 6 to 9 have the same length and the same height, but can, as in the example shown, have different widths. In the ground floor of Fig. 1, the module 6 defines the living room and has two openings for French doors 10 and 11 and an opening 12 for the communication passage to the module 7. The module 7 defines the entrance hall 13 provided with a opening for the entrance door 14, and a kitchen 15 provided with an opening for a window 16, as well as a departure of staircase 17 towards the basement. The module 8 defines a room 18 provided with an opening for a window 19, as a sanitary unit comprising in particular a bathroom 20, provided with an opening for a window 21, and a toilet 22, with a corridor 74 between them. The module 9 defines two chambers 23 and 24 respectively provided with openings for the windows 25 and 26.

The vertical section of Fig. 2, made in the lengthwise direction of the module 9, through the chambers 23 and 24, shows how the modules rest, by means of U-shaped angles on a belt whose sides 27, 28 and 29 are visible. Indeed, as shown on a large scale in Figs. 2, 12 and 13, the floors of each module rest on a rectangular circular belt formed of U-shaped angles 30. Each angle 30 consists of a core 31, a wing 32, on which rests the periphery of the module and d a wing 33 intended to rest, at least partially, on a support, such as 27, 28 and 29.

The construction of the house in Fig. 2 can generally be described as follows. The earthworks and the construction of the foundations and the base 34 are carried out in a traditional manner. On the base walls, the belt 27, 28 and 29 is constructed, with chaining, the belt projecting inwards so that its internal edges can support the angles 30 of the modules 6 to 9. Once the belt 27, 28 , 29 and the side not shown, finished, it is deposited on these edges, in the order indicated in FIG. 1, the different modules in their final locations.

As shown in Fig. 3, the angles 30 are joined to the adjacent sides of the modules by bolt-nut systems 35 which fasten the webs 31 of the angles 30 back to back, which precisely defines the intervals 36 between the adjacent walls of the modules.

Once the modules 6 to 9 are thus secured, on the edges of the belt 27, 28, 29, on. makes the necessary connections between them and with the different external networks with regard to electricity, water, gas, telecommunications, sewer connections, etc.

It is only after these operations have been completed that construction of the exterior walls 37, on the belt 27, 28, 29, continues around the modules. This construction of the walls 37 is entirely traditional, including the production from prefabricated wall elements, or, depending on the destination of the building, the making of simple cladding.

Once the walls 37 have been mounted to a level slightly higher than the exterior level of the module ceilings, the upper chaining is carried out, on which the framework and the roof are constructed by any suitable method.

Freestanding modules are manufactured using the caravan construction technique. The partitions or walls of the modules are formed from sandwiches composed of a layer of extruded polystyrene 40 coated on either side with plywood plates 41 and 42.

As an indication, for the external walls 43, 44 and 45 of module 6, 46 and 47 of module 7, 48 and 49 of module 9 and 50, 51 and 52 of module 9, the thickness of the polystyrene layer can be 50 mm, the external plywood can be coated with a layer of bitumen and the internal plywood is coated with wallpaper or paint or any other suitable coating. For the internal walls 53 of module 6, 54 and 55 of module 7, 56 and 57 of module 8, and 58 of module 9, the thickness of the polystyrene layer can be reduced to 30 mm. Likewise, for internal partitions 59 and 60 of module 7, 61, 62 and 63 of module 8, and 64 of module 9, the thickness of the polystyrene layer can be 30 mm and the two plywood plates of the sandwich can be coated with wallpaper, etc. For module floors, the sandwich may include a 50 mm layer of extruded polystyrene, an upper face made of wood panel, such as relatively thick reconstituted or agglomerated wood, bearing an appropriate coating, and a lower face made of plywood. impregnated with bitumen. For ceilings, the sandwich can have the same thickness of polystyrene, a coated underside, as a classic ceiling, and an upper face in bituminous plywood.

It should be understood that the entire panels of each module can be prepared from a layer of polystyrene of suitable dimensions, from a plywood plate which has been bituminized in large areas by calendering, and from a plate of painted or upholstered plywood, these three components being assembled once primed. To manufacture a module, six faces or panels thus formed are assembled, after having each provided with the accessory or accessories which it must carry, such as central heating radiators, etc. The interior partitions and sanitary fixtures, the fittings of wardrobes are thus assembled under industrial conditions, while leaving many choices to the customer with regard to paints, wallpapers, etc.

As shown in Fig. 3, at the edges, at the limit between two panels, there are provided between the plywood plates battens or wooden uprights 65 and 66. Similarly, for each opening provided in a module for a door or window, the edges of the opening are formed by a frame of battens between the plywood plates.

Fig. 4 shows the passage between the modules 7 and 8 at the level of detail 1 in FIG. 1. Of course, for this passage each module has an opening defined by a wooden frame which includes the amount 67 of the wall 55 of the module 7 and the amount 68 of the wall 56 of the module 8. It appears that the interval between the adjacent modules, that is to say between 55 and 56, is very small on the order of 20 mm and that the periphery of the passage can be formed by a frame blocking the gap between the two modules, this frame being able to understand with regard to its vertical sides of the slats. The elements 69 and 70 can be placed by gluing or pointed. On the side of 56, in 8, is provided a frame 71 receiving the leaf 72 of a door intended to form the reduction 73 serving for the passage of pipes of all kinds.

Fig. 6 shows the passage between the module 8 and the chamber 24 of the module 9, that is to say the detail 3. First of all, there is an assembly similar to that of FIG. 5, with a frame 77 at the end of the wall 58, a wedge 79, a border 78 and a clamping screw 80. In addition, perpendicular to 57, there is provided a part of internal partition, reducing in the particular case to a frame upright 82 fixed in a rabbet of the frame of 57, the upright 82 carrying at the end a frame 83, a molding 84 covering the joint between 82 and 83. It must be understood that before transport to the site, the parts such as 82, 83, 84, 77 are already fixed on the modules and all that remains is to install the shims and screws as well as certain moldings, such as 78.

Fig. 7 shows the detail 4, that is to say the end of the partition 59 of the kitchen 1 5. At the end of this partition 59, there is a jamb 83, such as that which is mounted on 82, FIG. 6, with a molding 84.

Fig. 8 shows a horizontal section at the corner 5 of the window. At the end of the wall 46, a window frame 85 is mounted, intended to cooperate with a leaf 86. FIG. 8 also shows the corresponding part of the wall 37 which is constructed so as to leave a gap 87 between its internal face and the external surface of the module, for thermal insulation. The wall has an appropriate covering 88. To normally close the interval 87, an entourage 89 is provided which is preferably drawn into the frame 85. Between 89 and 88, an L-shaped angle 90 is provided which is fixed on 89 when the wall was built.

Fig. 9 shows a vertical section through the window of FIG. 8. There is the wall 46 on which is mounted a frame 91, fixed by a screw 92. On the frame 91, the bottom of the window frame 93 has been shown. The wall 37, with its covering 88, was shown, as well as the part 94 of the surrounding frame closing the gap 87.

Fig. 10 shows a vertical section from the top of the window of FIG. 9. The wall 46 is found there, under which is mounted a frame 95, fixed by a screw 96, the top of the window frame 93, and a part 97 of the surrounding frame. A lintel 98 is provided for the wall 37, with the covering 88. The rear part of the lintel 98 can be hollowed out to allow the incorporation of insulating materials 99 also filling a part of 87, above 97.

Fig. 11 shows a variant from the top of the window of FIG. 10 which is provided for the case of using a curtain shutter. We find the wall 46, the top of the window frame 93, the door frame 95 ', very similar to the door frame 95, and the lintel 98, with its covering 88. However, in this case, between the lower edge of the wall 46 and the frame 95 ', a compartment 100 is provided, in which is housed the roller of the shutter 101 which is guided by the slide 102, the bottom of which is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 9. It will be noted, in FIG. 11, that the module ceiling, indicated at 103, is located just above the roller 101. The compartment 100 is limited by a box comprising two faces 100 and 105 mounted between 95 'and 103. The interval between 95' and 102 is closed with a rod 106 cut in 95 '.

Fig. 12 shows in vertical section the bottom of the front door 14. There are the floor 106 of the module 7, resting on an angle 30 fixed on the base belt, the leaf 107 of the door, the seal 108 and an entry panel 109. It will appear that the module makes it possible to adapt conventional means with regard to the entry door, as moreover has been seen above for the windows.

Fig. 13 shows in vertical section the bottom a French window such as 10 or 11. We can see the floor 110 of the module 6 resting on an angle iron 30 fixed on the belt of the base, with a conventional ledge 111, provided with a plinth 112 and a jamb window 113, as well as one of the leaves 114. Outside, there is a slab 115 which fits under 113 and rests on the base wall.

As regards the staircase 17, which is intended to allow the descent into the basement cellar, it is preferably an integral part of the module 7, at least at the time of the installation of this module. Thus, it can be provided capable of pivoting around hinges provided on line 116, FIG. 1. For the transport and the installation of the self-stable module, the staircase 17 is horizontal and closes the opening provided in the floor 106 of the module 7. Once the walls are finished, as well as the cover, we rotate the staircase down so that it takes its generally final position.

In the case where it is planned to arrange the attic under the frame 38, there is provided above 17 a staircase which would be suspended from the ceiling of 7, plumb with 116, for example. When the module is installed, this staircase can already have its final position. A passage is obviously provided between the entrance hall 13 and the staircase by an adequate opening of 60, at 117.

Before storage, transport and installation, the modules are wrapped in plastic sheet envelopes. In this way, during the construction of the walls and the roof, no dust can enter the modules, in particular through the openings. To illustrate this possibility, we have shown in FIG. 8 a plastic sheet 118 which is found indicated in Figs. 9 and 10, this sheet passing outside the "tapped" or framing piece 89. During the mounting of the wall 37, the angle iron 90 of 89 is fixed with screws, then the wall is constructed and the covering 88 is laid Once these operations are completed, the part of 118 which is between 37 and 46 remains there. The part of 118 which is in front of 16 can be kept until the roofing is completed and even until the delivery of the house. Indeed, it is enough to get rid of cutting the sheet, for example with a razor blade, flush with 90.

It is also important to understand, referring to FIG. 5 or 6, that once the two modules concerned placed one beside the other, the only components remaining to be added are the wedge 79, the screw 80 and the angle iron 78, forming a joint, which can be fixed to 76 by small screws, not shown, all the other parts forming part of the prefabricated modules. The plastic sheet is cut as indicated above. These linking operations between the freestanding modules can be carried out at the last moment, after the construction of the walls and the roof.

It will thus appear that the time required for the walls to rise and the frame and roof to be laid constitutes practically the entire duration of the site itself. In addition, during the construction period, no penetration into the modules is necessary, which keeps the interiors intact.

To protect the freestanding modules from the weather while waiting for the roof to be completed, we know that the exterior coating of each module is bituminous, which makes it waterproof, and that it is wrapped in a plastic bag, but of course still provide a tarp on the whole if necessary.

It should also be noted that the walls and the roof raised around the freestanding modules can be of any style that can be integrated into any site.

Claims (5)

1. A building consisting of self-solid modules placed side by side (6, 7, 8, 9), each one constituting one or several rooms of which the internal coverings and arrangements have been placed and/or equipped in a factory, the modules being then carried and settled definitively on the spot of the building, the properly called walls (37) and the roofing (38, 39) of the building resting upon the said walls being conventionally raised all around the equipped modules (6, 7, 8, 9), characterized in that each module is entirely encased inside a completely tight bag (118), the walls and the roofing not contacting the said bags (118) and the said bags being then cutted out at the places of the openings (10, 11, 14, 16, 19, 21, 25, 26) when building is finished.

2. A building according to claim 1, characterized in that the partitions of the self-solid modules (6, 7, 8, 9) are panels consisting from outside to inside of a tarred plate of plywood, a coat of polystyrene (40) or equivalent material and a plate of plywood (41, 42) provided with internal covering such as painting, wall-paper or fabric.

3. A building according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the modules are, before their carriage, provided with wooden frames (67, 68) defining the openings, doors or windows, the gaps between the settled modules or between the settled modules and the walls being blocked up with partition-lathes, after the contiguous parts of the bags having been cutted out all along the boundaries of the frames.

4. A building according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the partitions of the modules are manufactured according to the techniques of manufacture of caravans.

5. A building according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the modules have a parallelepiped shape.

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