EP1009890B1

EP1009890B1 - Building component for building a wall

Info

Publication number: EP1009890B1
Application number: EP99913025A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kris Minnen
Original assignee: Minnen Kris
Current assignee: MINNEN, KRIS
Priority date: 1998-04-08
Filing date: 1999-04-07
Publication date: 2005-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-07
Also published as: ATE298822T1; BE1012980A3; DE69925974D1; ES2245095T3; DE69925974T2; WO1999053154A1; EP1009890A1

Abstract

Building component for building a wall of the type which at least consists of two side panels (4-5), made of foam plastic or such, which are kept at a distance from one another by means of links, such that a hollow wall structure can be made with these building components (1) which is meant to be subsequently filled up with concrete (6) or such, characterized in that the building component (1) is provided with coupling elements (9-10) on its top side (7) and/or bottom side (8) which make it possible to stack several of such building components (1) on top of one another in a linked manner, which coupling elements (9-10) make it possible to link the components in any axial position whatsoever, and in that the coupling elements (9-10) are equipped with predefined removable parts (13) which make it possible to link such building components (1) crosswise or at right angles.

Description

The present invention concerns a building component for building a wall.

In particular, it concerns a building component of the type which at least consists of two side panels, made of foam plastic or such, which are kept at a distance from one another by means of links, such that a hollow wall structure can be made of these building components which is meant to be subsequently filled up with concrete or such, preferably with included reinforcement rods.

Building components of this kind are widely known already. Examples thereof are described among others in the patent documents WO 95/35421, EP 0.405.040, EP 0.694.102, US 4.730.422, US 4.731.968, US 4.742.659, US 4.879.855 and CA 825.584.

The known embodiments of such building components are disadvantageous in that building up a wall with these building components entails numerous difficulties, so that the construction of the hollow wall, which must subsequently be filled up with concrete, is quite time-consuming, against all expectations.

The above-mentioned difficulties are mainly due to the fact that the existing building components of the above-mentioned type are not easily adjustable to variations and/or requirements which usually only become apparent on the building site. Especially in the case where certain parts of the building components have to be removed, for example when links have to be made between several walls, it is difficult to make a good connection.

In the embodiments which are known from WO 95/35421, EP 0.405.040, EP 0.694.102, US 4.730.422 and US 4.731.968, use is made, in order to position the building components in relation to one another, of local protrusions and recesses which make it possible, as seen from the axial direction, for the building components to be exclusively linked in specific positions. If a deformation occurs in a stacked layer, the application of the subsequent layer is made difficult, if not impossible. Also, concrete may settle between the local protrusions and recesses which is hard to be removed and which impedes the stacking.

In the embodiments which are known from US 4.742.659, US 4.879.855 and CA 826.584, use is made of a claw and groove joint in order to position the building components in relation to one another. These embodiments are not restricted to certain axial mutual positions when they are placed on top of one another, but they do not make it possible to form an efficient coupling between walls standing for example at right angles to one another, as the continuous tooth and groove profile makes it impossible to put them crosswise on top of one another.

Another known embodiment is described in EP 0.275.938, where the building components are provided with protrusions and recesses in the pattern of a raster, on both top and bottom sides of the compartment. This embodiment allows the linking of several components either axially or crosswise.

A disadvantage of this known embodiment is that a component linked to another one can not slide in a direction longitudinal to its own position, making it impossible to adjust the relative position of one component to another in any desired position when both are linked o each other.

Another disadvantage of the known embodiments consists in that the links between the side panels, which are usually formed of bridges embedded with their ends in the side panels, cannot be adjusted to the requirements which are often imposed by the construction to be formed.

The invention aims a building component of the type mentioned in the introduction, which offers the advantage that during the application, in other words as the walls are being erected, it can be used in a very universal manner and it can be easily adjusted to the requirements imposed by the construction to be erected. According to its preferred embodiment, the invention also aims a building component whereby one or several of the disadvantages of the above-mentioned known embodiments are excluded.

To this aim, the present invention provides for a building component of the above-mentioned type, whereby this building component contains coupling elements on its top side and/or bottom side which make it possible to stack several of such building components on top of one another in a linked manner, which coupling elements make it possible to link the components in an axial position, whereby the coupling elements have the shape of a tooth and groove, which tooth contain at least some predefined removable parts, and whereby removing the removable parts of a first component procures space for the lips confining the groove of a second component that is to be linked in a crosswise manner or at right angles to said first component.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention concerns a building component which is also of the type mentioned in the introduction and which is further characterised in that the links between the side panels consist of bridges embedded with their ends in the material of the side panels and in that these bridges are equipped with means defining a matrix-shaped partitioning and which make it possible to remove several parts from the bridges concerned as required. This offers the advantage that parts can be easily removed from the bridges so as to form for example recesses and/or passages for applying other parts of the construction, such as hollow vaults, concrete slabs, beams, etc.

According to a further embodiment, the invention concerns a building component which is also of the type mentioned in the introduction and which is further characterised in that the above-mentioned links consist of bridges which are embedded with their ends in the material of the side panels which are provided with anchoring means at their ends, and in that these anchoring means are at least formed of passages which are provided in the ends of the bridge, in particular in the body of said bridge, whereby the inner sides of said passages form surfaces for absorbing the forces, or at least a large part of the forces which are created when the building component is filled up with concrete or such.

By using passages in the body which are made such that supporting surfaces are created offering an anchoring effect, a bridge is obtained which offers many advantages. A first advantage consists in that the total thickness of such a bridge can be considerably reduced in relation to the usual T-shaped flanges, which in turn offers the advantage that parts can be more easily removed from the side panels without the above-mentioned flanges forming an obstruction in any way. Another advantage consists in that, according to a preferred embodiment, the bridges can be made very simple, as will become clear from the following description.

According to a particular embodiment, use will be made of intermediate links extending over the entire shooting height, which usually amounts to half the height of a floor.

The intermediate links between the different rows of building components are hereby preferably provided between the bridges of the building components concerned.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiments are described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a building component according to the invention;

figures 2 and 3 show views according to arrows F2 and F3 in figure 1;

figure 4 shows a view according to arrow F4 in figure 1 to a larger scale;

figure 5 shows a bridge from the building component in figure 1;

figure 6 shows a section according to line VI-VI in figure 3 to a larger scale;

figure 7 shows, by means of a vertical section, how a hollow wall, to be filled up with concrete or such, can be made of the building components;

figure 8 shows in perspective how a crosswise coupling can be made;

figure 9 represents a part from a section according to line IX-IX in figure 8;

figure 10 represents an angle of walls made with the building components according to the invention, seen as a horizontal section;

figure 11 represents a vertical section at the height of a floor slab;

figures 12 to 14 represent several bridges according to the invention, seen as a section;

figure 15 schematically represents a practical method for making bridges according to figure 14;

figure 16 shows a section of another bridge according to the invention;

figure 17 shows a view in perspective according to arrow F17 in figure 16.

Further, as represented in figures 1 to 11, the invention also concerns a building component 1 for making a wall 2, whereby this building component 1 at least consists of two side panels 4-5 made of foam plastic or such, which are kept at a distance from one another by means of links, in this case bridges 3, such that a hollow wall structure can be made of these building components 1 which can be filled up with concrete 6, as will be further described in detail.

The building component 1 is provided with coupling elements, 9 and 10 respectively, on its top side 7 and bottom side 8, which make it possible to stack several of such building components 1 on top of one another in a linked manner. These coupling elements 9-10, which are preferably provided on the top edge and the lower edge of each of the two side panels 4-5, as represented, consist of profiles extending in the longitudinal direction, in particular in the shape of a tooth-shaped profile and a groove-shaped profile, hereafter simply called tooth 11 and groove 12.

According to the invention, one or several of these coupling elements is specifically provided with predefined, removable parts 13 which make it possible to connect and/or fit several of such building components 1 crosswise or at right angles. By such predefined removable parts 13 are meant parts which can be easily removed without the side panels 4-5 running the risk of being damaged.

As is represented in the example from figures 1 to 11, the predefined removable parts 13 are preferably made in the shape of break-out parts, in particular break-out parts which make it possible for specific parts to be broken out of every tooth 11 concerned. The removable parts 13 are defined and formed by vertical transverse slots 14, as represented in detail in figure 4, such that the parts 13, by exerting a lateral force on them, can be broken off near their basis 15.

It should be noted that the removable parts 13 are made in the shape of continuous series extending in the longitudinal direction of the edges of the side panels 4-5.

The grooves 12 forming the coupling elements 10 are confined by lips 16.

On the inner sides 17-18 of the side panels 4-5 are provided profiles which make it possible to fix one or several partitions 19, in particular dividing walls and/or end walls, in the space 20 between the side panels 4-5. As is represented in the figures, these profiles preferably consist of vertical ribs 21 which make it possible to shift the partitions 19 between the side walls 4-5. Although these ribs 21 are present over the entire length of the inner sides 17-18 in the represented preferred embodiment, it is clear that, according to a variant, they could possibly also be provided only near the free ends 22-23.

According to its preferred embodiment, the building component 1, as represented, is built up modularly. By this is meant that several dimensions of the building element 1 are equal to, or are the multiple of a certain standard unit. For this standard unit, the axial distance A is taken as a basis, which is defined by the intervals at which the removable parts 13 are successively repeated. In particular, by 'modular' is now meant that the dimensions of the building component 1 meet one or several of the following, and preferably each of the following definitions:

the tooth 11 has a width B1 which is equal to, or almost equal to the distance A;
the grooves 12 have a width B2 which is equal to, or almost equal to the distance A of a multiple of this distance;
the lips 16 which confine the above-mentioned grooves 12 have a width B3 which is equal to, or almost equal to the distance A or a multiple thereof;
the above-mentioned ribs 21, the grooves 24 formed in between them respectively, have a width B4, B5 respectively, which is equal to or almost equal to the distance A;
the opposite coupling elements to be placed in the removable parts 13, in this case the lips 16, are situated at such distances from one another that they are compatible with the coupling elements 9.

The last item of this enumeration implies that the mutual distance E between the coupling elements 10 which can be put in the removable parts 13 of another building element 1, in particular the distance E indicated in figure 2, is a multiple of the above-mentioned distance A.

According to a practical embodiment, the above-mentioned distance A will be 1.6 cm, as ideal proportions are obtained in this case for making thick walls on the one hand and for making the accompanying thin walls on the other hand.

In the case of the thick walls, the distance E will be preferably selected equal to nine times the distance A, whereas in the case of the thin walls, the distance E will be selected equal to five times the distance A. The side panels 4-5 then have thicknesses D1 amounting to three times the distance A.

It should be noted that, although the distance A is preferably 1.6 cm, and thus also the teeth 11 have a width B1 of 1.6 cm, the standard dimension can also be selected differently. Nevertheless, the teeth 11 preferably have at least a width B1 of 1 cm. This ensures a stable coupling, without any risk for the teeth 11 to break off or fall apart under the influence of the lateral pressure as the concrete 6 is being poured.

According to the second essential characteristic of the invention, which is preferably but not necessarily combined with the aforesaid, the above-mentioned bridges 3, which are embedded in the usual manner with their ends 25-26 in the material of the side panels 4-5, are provided with means defining a matrix-shaped partitioning and which make it possible to remove several parts from the bridges 3 as desired, as a function of the need thereof.

As is clearly shown in figure 5, the bridges 3 to this end have a connecting part 27 in the shape of a flange, and the above-mentioned means consist in that this flange is provided with a pattern of holes formed by a series of holes 28 which are preferably distributed over the surface of the flange according to an orthogonal grid. These holes 28 make it possible to easily provide for connections between the holes 28, in less than no time and without too much caution, and thus to easily remove a part, for example an angle, from such a bridge 3. As is schematically represented in figure 5, in the case where the bridge 3 consists of plastic, this can be easily realized by pressing a hot bolt 29, for example a soldering bolt, through the material, for example as indicated by the arrow P. As the bolt 29 hereby each time shoots through from one hole 28 to the other, a guiding effect is automatically provided for.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned means do not necessarily have to consist of a hole pattern. According to another possibility, dilutions of material can for example be provided in the connecting part 27 forming break lines, so that segments from the connecting part 27 can be broken off.

The bridges 3 can be equipped in the conventional manner with anchoring flanges 30 and seatings 31 for reinforcement rods 32. Further, the bridges 3 can be equipped with strengthening ribs 33.

As mentioned above, the above-mentioned bridges 3 preferably consists of plastic, for example PVC or PE. The foam plastic of which the side panels 4-5 are formed is preferably a plastic which is usually used as an insulation material, for example expanded polystyrene or polyurethane.

The use of the building components 1 according to the invention can be easily derived from figures 7 to 11.

Figure 7 shows how the building components 1 are piled on top of one another, whereby they fit into one another with tooth and groove. It is clear that in the axial direction, in other words the longitudinal direction of the wall 2, they are not restricted to certain mutual positions.

In the seatings 31, reinforcement rods 32 are preferably snapped in or put down and fastened. When concrete 6 is poured in the space 20 and it hardens, an insulated wall 2 is obtained on either side. In front of the outer side of the wall 2 can be erected an ornamental gable 34 which can be connected to the wall 2 by means of wall ties which are not represented here. It is also possible to put a plastering against the wall 2.

Figure 8 shows how a connection at right angles can be made. A number of parts 13 are hereby removed, in particular broken out, such that passages 15 are created in the teeth 11 concerned forming seatings for the above-mentioned lips 16. By putting the two represented building components 1 crosswise on top of one another, the whole is fit together as represented in figure 9. It is clear that in this way, both crossing walls 2 as well as walls 2 which are connected to one another in a T-shaped manner can be built.

Figure 8 further shows what a partition 19 may look like. Such a partition 19 is also represented in figure 10 and consists of a plate-shaped element made of plastic foam or such which is provided with a groove 38 on at least two side edges 36-37, which grooves 38 can cooperate with the above-mentioned ribs 21. In order to obtain a good sealing, a groove 39 may also be provided on the bottom side, whereas the top side is equipped with a tooth 40. The partition 19 is provided by simply pushing it between the side panels 4-5.

The groove 39 and the tooth 40 of the partition 19 form an interlocking after the wall 2 has been mounted, whereby among others the building element 1 which is put crosswise in figure 8 is prevented from moving in the direction R.

According to a special characteristic of the invention, the bridges 3 are put in such axial positions in the building element 1 that, when an angle is formed with two such building components 1, and, as represented in figure 10, a part of the material is cut out so as to form a passage 41, the outer bridges 3 are situated outside the extension of the reinforcement rods 32, so that no bridges 3 have to be cut out, and the part of the material 42 represented in figure 10 retains its strength, which is necessary in order to be able to provide a partition 19.

Figure 11 represents the construction on a floor slab 43. It is clear that in such a case, it may be necessary for a part of the material to be removed from the bridge 3, together with a part of the side panel 5 concerned. In this case, the matrix-shaped partitioning of the bridges 3 is given its due, as the part concerned of the bridge 3 can then very easily be removed, as represented in figure 5 and as already described above.

As represented in figures 12 and 13, the bridges 3 can be made in different ways. According to a special characteristic, the total width B6 will be kept smaller than 1 cm, which offers the advantage that in constructions such as the one of figure 10, the passage 41 can be made even wider, without the bridge 3 situated immediately next to this passage 41 forming an obstacle.

According to a special aspect of the invention, the anchoring of the ends 25-26 in the material of the side panels 4-5 is no longer mainly realized by means of the anchoring flanges 30, but by providing passages 45 in the bridge 3, in particular in the body 44, whereby the inner side 46 of these passages 45 forms surfaces for absorbing the forces, or at least a large part of the forces, which are created when the building components 1 are filled up with concrete 6. What is important is that inner sides 46 are provided, offering a sufficiently large supporting surface, for example by providing a large number of embedded passages 45 and/or by making the thickness of the body 44, at least near the embedded parts, sufficiently thick. From a practical point of view, the thickness of the body 44, which in the example of figure 14 coincides with the width B6, is preferably at least 4 mm, but preferably 1 cm at the most.

In order to obtain a sufficiently large supporting surface for absorbing the forces, rows of perforations will preferably be applied for the above-mentioned passages 45, in particular two rows of perforations on each end 25-26.

Another major aspect for enlarging the total supporting surface consists in that, per side panel 4-5, passages 45 are provided which, in the width of the building component 1, define two or more supporting surfaces situated one after the other. This implies that, from the inside towards the outside, at least two supporting surfaces are formed one after the other, so that the total supporting surface with which the side panels 4-5 are retained as the concrete 6 is being poured in, doubles so to say. In the example of figure 14, this is also obtained thanks to the fact that on each end, 25-26 respectively, two rows of perforations are formed next to one another.

In the case where the inner sides 46 of the passages 45 are used to serve as a supporting surface, the bridges 3, according to the most preferred embodiments, will mainly consist of just a flat body 44 without any anchoring flanges 30. In this case, bridges 3 are obtained which form practically no obstacle when cutting out parts of material 42.

According to a special embodiment, these bridges 3 consist of flat bodies 44 in the shape of flat discs which are cut off from an extruded profile 47, so that a very low-priced embodiment is obtained.

In order to provide for a sufficiently large supporting surface on the above-mentioned inner side 46, external collars 48 can be provided on the embedded passages 45, as represented in figures 16 and 17, which offers the advantage that the body 44 as such can remain relatively thin. These collars 48 can for example be formed by thermally transforming the passages 45 concerned locally.

It should be noted that the use of predefined removable parts 13, in particular parts which can be broken out, is not restricted to the above-described embodiment whereby these parts 13 are part of the teeth 11. According to a variant, such parts 13 which can be broken out may also consist of parts of the lips 16, or also of parts of the lips 16 as well as of the teeth 11.

It should be noted that the tooth 11 and the groove 12 must not necessarily be placed in the middle of the side panels 4-5. The tooth 11 may for example also be situated with one side in the extension of the side of the accompanying

side panel

4 or 5, whereas the groove 12 is in this case confined by only one lip 16, and the other side of the groove 12 is then open.

The tooth 11 and the groove 12 may also be switched, or according to another possibility they may be switched on only one of both

side panels

4 or 5.

The invention also concerns the above-described bridges 3, as a loose part, as well as the partitions 19. Such bridges 3 take little space and can be easily made in one production unit and then be distributed, after which these bridges 3 can be used in different places to form the building components 1.

According to a special embodiment, the partitions 19 may be provided with blocks 49 as indicated in figure 8, or other elements, for fixing windows, doors or such. This is particularly useful in those cases where the partitions 19 are designed to form the reveal of a door or window. These blocks 49 or other elements are partly fixed in the partition 19 and also partly protrude from it, so that they are secured in the concrete after it has hardened.

Figure 7 further gives an example of the intermediate links mentioned in the introduction. In the given example of figure 7, this intermediate link consists of a tie rod 50 which meshes behind the bridges 3 concerned by means of hook-shaped parts 51 and 52 and which is provided with clamping means 53, such as a nut, for tightening the whole.

Figures 3 and 10 schematically represent another variant in which the intermediate links consist of tie rods 54 which mesh behind the reinforcement rods 32 via supporting elements 55.

The present invention is by no means restricted to the embodiments described as an example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a building component as well as the above mentioned accessories can be made in all sorts of variants while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Building component for building a wall of the type of which at least consists of two side panels (4-5), made of foam plastic or such, which are kept at a distance from one another by means of links, such that a hollow wall structure can be made with these building components (1) which is meant to be subsequently filled up with concrete (6) or such, whereby this building component (1) contains coupling elements (9-10) on its top side (7) and/or bottom side (8) which make it possible to stack several of such building components (1) on top of one another in a linked manner, which coupling elements (9-10) make it possible to link the components in an axial position, characterised in that the coupling elements (9-10) have the shape of a tooth (11) and groove (12), which tooth (11) contains at least some predefined removable parts (13), and whereby removing the removable parts (13) of a first component procures space for the lips (16) confining the groove (12) of a second component that is to be linked in a crosswise manner or at right angles to said first component.
Building component according to claim 1, characterized in that the predefined removable parts (13) are made in the shape of break-out parts.
Building component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling elements (9-10) consist of profiles extending in the longitudinal direction provided on the edges of the side panels (4-5).
Building component according to claim 1, characterized in that the tooth (11) has a width (B1) of at least 1 cm.
Building component according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the groove (12) is provided on the bottom side (8), whereas the tooth (11) is situated on the top side (7).
Building component according to claim 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the predefined removable parts (13) consist of break-out parts which are provided in the tooth (11) and/or groove (12).
Building component according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable parts (13) consist of vertical transverse slots (14) which are provided at least in the height over one or several of the coupling elements (9-10).
Building component according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the building component (1) is built in a modular manner.
Building component according claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the predefined removable parts (13) define axial intervals which repeat over a certain distance (A) and in that the modular construction provides for one or more of the following characteristics:

in the case where the removable parts (13) are part of a tooth-shaped coupling element (9), the width (B1) of the tooth (11) is equal to or almost equal to the above-mentioned distance (A);

in the case of coupling elements (9-10) in the shape of a tooth and groove, the lips (16) which confine the groove (12) have a width (B3) which is equal to or almost equal to the above-mentioned distance (A);

in the case where the building component (1) is provided with ribs (21) and/or grooves (24) on the inner sides (17-18) of the side panels (4-5) for fixing partitions (19), these ribs (21) and/or grooves (24) are mutually placed at distances (B4-B5) which coincide with the above-mentioned distance (A) or a multiple thereof;

the mutual distance (E) between the coupling elements (10) to be placed in the removable parts (13) is a multiple of the above-mentioned distance (A);

the thickness (D1) of the side panels (4-5) amounts to 3/15th of the width of the building component (1);

the thickness (D1) of the side panels (4-5) amounts to 3/11th of the width of the building component (1);

the above-mentioned distance (A) amounts to 1.6 cm.
Building component according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the links between the side panels (4-5) consist of bridges (3) embedded with their ends (25-26) in the material of the side panels (4-5), and in that these bridges (3) are equipped with means which define a matrix-shaped partitioning and which make it possible to remove several parts from the bridges (3) concerned as required. bridges (3) are equipped with means defining a matrix-shaped partitioning and which make it possible to remove different parts from the bridges (3) concerned as required.
Building component according to claim 10, characterized in that the bridges (3) are equipped with a connecting part (27) in the shape of a flange and in that the above-mentioned means consist of a pattern of holes provided in this flange.
Building component according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the above-mentioned links consist of bridges (3) embedded with their ends in the material of the side panels (4-5) which are provided with anchoring means at their ends (25-26), and in that these anchoring means are at least formed of passages (45) which are provided in the ends (25-26) of the bridge (3), in particular in the body (44) of said bridge (3), whereby the inner sides (46) of said passages (45) form surfaces for absorbing the forces, or at least a large part of the forces which are created when the building component (1) is filled up with concrete (6) or such.
Building component according to claim 12, characterized in that the passages (45) which provide for an anchoring, in the width of the building component (1), define at least two or more supporting surfaces situated one after the other per side panel (4-5).
Building component according to claim 12, characterized in that the above-mentioned anchoring means consist of perforations, preferably each time at least two rows of perforations, on each end (25-26) of such bridge (3) concerned.
Building component according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the above-mentioned links consist of bridges (3) embedded with their ends (25-26) in the material of the side panels (4-5) and in that the building component (1) contains bridges (3) which consist of a flat or predominantly flat body (44), which thus has no or practically no ribs (33) and/or anchoring flanges (30).
Building component according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned bridges (3) consist of predominantly flat bodies (44) in the shape of discs which are cut off from an extruded profile (47).
Building component according to any of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that on one or several of the above-mentioned passages (45), and preferably on all embedded passages (45), external collars (48) are provided on one or both sides of the bridges (3) concerned.
Building component according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inner side of the side panels (4-5) are provided vertical ribs (21) which make it possible to push partitions (19) between the side panels (4-5).
Building component according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the above-mentioned links consist of bridges (3) embedded with their ends (25-26) in the material of the side panels (4-5), whereby the total width of these bridges (3) is smaller than 1 cm.
Building component according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bridges (3) consist of plastic.