ES2389100T3 - A building element - Google Patents

Abstract

A construction element for use in construction structures, the construction element comprising an elongate body (12) having a first side (14), a second opposite side (16), a first end (18), a second opposite end ( 20), a flat element (22), which extends in a first direction (24) from the second end to the first end in a first plane (26), a first flange formation (28) pointing to the flat element in the first side and a first assembly formation (32) fixed to the first end and adapted to couple the construction element to other parts in the formation of said structure, the first assembly formation including a support formation (34) located at said first end in a position between said first side and said second side for relying on other parts in the formation of said structure; and the construction element being characterized in that the first assembly formation includes a formation n receiver (36) adapted to receive a screw (62) to extend in said first direction through the receiving formation to couple the construction element to the other parts, and because the flat element includes an access opening (42) through the same, adjacent to the receiving formation and adapted to allow access from any side of the flat element so that said screw is inserted into the receiving formation at the first direction.

Description

A building element

This description refers to a construction element that is used in the modular construction of folding structures such as stages, exhibition stands, floating floor and support pillars.

The assembly and disassembly time of folding structures is a serious limitation for a user, since any necessary delay in the installation and uninstallation of the structure adds costs to the structure since additional personnel is required, a rental time has to be paid additional and the structure remains unavailable for use and reuse for a longer period.

It is important to be able to assemble and disassemble the structure as quickly as possible but maintaining a high degree of flexibility in the structure to allow adaptations and modifications to the structure according to specific requirements.

US 3749432 of Janssen describes a construction element consisting of a set of uprights and crossbars made of extruder-type sections of metal or light alloy. The construction element illustrated in Fig. 2 of US 3749432 has a first upper side, an opposite lower side, a first end that rests on a second upright, a second opposite end and two flat elements that extend into a first direction from the second end to the first end in respective planes. A first outgoing formation is fixed to the two flat elements on the first side. The first end is supported in other parts by coupling the construction element to the forming parts of a structure.

Document DE 3303190 from Octanorm Vertriebs GmbH für Bauelemente also describes a construction element having a first upper side, an opposite lower side, a first end that rests on a second element, a second opposite end and two flat elements that extend in a first direction from the second end to the first end in respective planes. A first outgoing formation is fixed to the two flat elements on the first side. The first end is supported in other parts by coupling the construction element to the forming parts of a structure.

Slowbe DE 2644040 describes a construction element having a first side, a second opposite side, a first end, a second opposite end and a flat element extending in a first direction from the second end to the first end in respective planes . A first protruding formation is fixed to the flat element on the first side. A coupling piece mounted so that it can slide over the flat element or a part of the flat element itself extends beyond the rest of the element at the first end to rest on other parts and to engage the other parts in formation of a structure .

We describe herein alternative construction elements for use in the construction of folding structures that can improve assembly time and disassembly time.

According to the present description, a construction element for use in construction structures comprises: an elongated body with a first side, a second opposite side, a first end, a second opposite end, a flat element extending into a first direction of the second end to the first end in a first plane, a first protruding formation that is fixed to the flat element on the first side and a first assembly formation fixed to the first end and adapted to couple the construction element to other parts in the formation of a said structure, the first assembly formation including a support formation located at said first end in a position between said first side and said second side to rest on other parts in the formation of said structure; the construction element that is characterized in that the first assembly formation includes a receiver formation adapted to receive a screw to extend in said first direction through the receiver formation to couple the construction element to the other parts and because the flat element includes an access opening through it adjacent to the receiving formation and adapted to allow access from either side of the flat element so that said screw is inserted into the receiving formation in said first direction.

The body may be L-shaped or T-shaped in cross section.

The body may include a second protruding formation that is fixed to the flat element on the second side and in this case the body may be H-shaped or U-shaped in cross section.

The flat element may include a wall that extends between the first and second sides and the first and second ends. The flat element may extend at a right angle to the first protruding formation.

The first assembly formation may include a support formation between the receiver formation and the flat element.

Supportive training can be lengthened.

The receiving formation can be extended in the foreground. The recipient formation may include a hole in the support formation.

The access formation preferably includes an opening in the flat element.

The construction element may include a second mounting formation that is fixed to the second end. The second assembly formation may be identical in construction to the first assembly formation and the construction element may include a second access opening adjacent to the second end and adapted to allow access from either side of the flat element so that a screw can be inserted in the receiving formation of the second assembly formation in a direction opposite to said first direction.

The construction element may include at least a first joint formation on the first side which has a coupling element that is coupled with the body and an access groove in the flat element. The construction element may include at least a second joint formation on the second side.

The second joint formation may be identical in construction to the first joint formation.

A structure that is foldable and reusable includes a plurality of the aforementioned construction elements, a plurality of fixing devices including the screws with which the construction elements are coupled together, a plurality of support pillars where each support pillar it is locked to a building element and a plurality of flooring elements in which each flooring element is coupled to a building element. The structure may include a ladder that is connected to at least one building element.

A construction kit such as a foldable and reusable structure comprises a plurality of the aforementioned construction elements, a plurality of fixing devices including the screws for coupling the construction elements together, a plurality of support pillars and a plurality of elements of solado.

The embodiments of the construction element are further described by way of examples with respect to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a construction beam;

Figure 2 is a front side view of the beam of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the beam of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial sectional side view of a crosshead and a T-joint element formed by a plurality of beams of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed side view of the crosshead of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional side view on line 6-6 in Figure 4 of the T-joint element of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional side view of a part of a folding structure illustrating the use of the beams of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side view of the structure of Figure 8; Y

Figure 10 is a sectional side view of a part of a ladder used in the structure of Figures 8 and 9.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a construction element 10 that is in the form of a beam and has an elongated body 12 with a first upper side 14, a second opposite lower side 16, a first end 18, a second opposite end 20, a flat wall 22 extending between the upper side 14 and the lower side 16, in a first direction 24 of the second end 20 to the first end 18 and in a plane 26, a first upper flange 28 that is fixed to the wall 22 in the upper side 14 and a second lower flange 30 which is fixed to the wall 22 on the lower side 16.

The body 12 is made of any suitable metallic material and can be molded, extruded or manufactured in a known manner.

The beam 10 has at least one first mounting element 32 that is fixed to the first end 18 and has an elongated, oval shaped bearing surface 34 located between the upper side 14 and the lower side 16 and that is fixed to the wall 22. The support surface 34 straddles the wall 22 and extends on both sides of the wall

22. The first mounting element 32 has a receiving formation or groove 36 which extends in the first direction 24 and in the plane 26. The groove 36 ends in a hole 38 in the bearing surface 34.

The first mounting element 32 has a support element 40 that joins the wall 22 and is located between the wall 22 and the groove 36 and the support surface 34. The support element 40 has a shape similar to that of the wall. support surface 34.

A first access opening 42 is formed in the wall 22 at the first end 18 to allow access to the slot 36. The slot 36 extends between the first opening 42 and the hole 38.

In this example, the body 12 has an H-shape in cross-section, but it is important to understand that the body 12 can, for example, be U-shaped in cross-section or, alternatively, and if the lower flange 30 for example is omitted, they can have L shape or T shape in cross section.

A second mounting element 44 that is identical in construction to the first mounting element 32 is fixed to the second end 20. A second access opening 46 that is identical in construction to the first opening 42 is formed in the wall 22 at the second end. twenty.

At least a first joint formation 48 is formed on the beam 10 on the upper side 14 and at least a second joint formation 50 is formed on the beam 10 on the lower side 16. The joint formations 48, 50 are identical and only the first joint formation 48 is described.

The joint formation 48 has a coupling element 52 in the form of a sleeve that is fixed to the body 12 on the upper side 14 and an access slot 54 in the wall 22 that allows access to the sleeve 52. The sleeve 52 is located in the plane 26 and with respect to the first joint formation 48, the sleeve 52 ends in an opening 56 in the upper flange 28. With respect to the second joint formation 50, the opening 56 is located in the lower flange 30.

The beam 10 has an oval shaped fixing opening 58 in the wall 22.

Depending on the requirements, the beam 10 may have a plurality of joint formations 48, 50 on the upper and lower sides 14, 16 and a plurality of openings 58 at spaced intervals in the wall 22.

In use, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a series of beams 10A, B, C, D are interconnected with each other through a plurality of fixing devices 60.

In Figure 4 a second end 20 of a beam 10A is fixed to the wall 22 of a beam 10B by means of a fixing device 60A, the first end 18 of a beam 10C is attached to the wall 22 of the beam 10B by a device of attachment 60B and the second end 20 of the beam 10A is attached to the first end 18 of the beam 10C through the fixing devices 60A, B to form a crosshead 61A. A second end 20 of a beam 10D is attached to the wall 22 of the beam 10C by means of a fixing device 60C to form a T-joint member 61B.

Each of the fixing devices 60 has a screw 62 that extends through the groove 36 of the respective mounting elements 32, 44 and an insert or connector 64 into which the screw 62 is screwed. Each connector 64 acts as a nut and each fixing device 60 is in the form of a combination of nut and screw.

Each of the screws 62 is of known construction.

Each of the connectors 64 has a disk shape with a hole or central hole, threaded 66 therethrough. Each of the connectors 64 has an annular shoulder 68 which allows the connector 64 to intercourse with the opening 58 and a base 70 of the connector 64 partially extending into the opening 58.

At crosshead 61A the connector 64A and the connector 64B are fixed to each other in an opposite configuration in the opening 58 by means of a screw 74 that passes through the opening 58. Once the connectors 64A, B are firmly coupled the respective screws 62A, B are passed through the respective grooves 36 and threaded into the holes 66 until the respective bearing surfaces 34 rest firmly on the respective connector 64A, B. The respective upper flanges 28 of the beams 12A, B, C and the respective lower flanges 30 of the beams 10A, B, C come into contact with the adjacent flange and at least three points of contact are established between each adjacent beam 10A, B and 10B. C. These contact points are found

in the joints of the respective upper flanges 28 and the respective lower flanges 30 and in the respective mounting elements 32, 44 and the wall 22. In this way a stable crosshead 61A is formed.

The T-junction element 61B between beam 10C and beam 10D is best illustrated in Figure 6.

A fixing device 60C is used to attach the second end 20 of the beam 10D to the wall 22 of the beam 10C. Two connectors 64 engage each other through the opening 58. A screw 62 passes through the groove 36 in the beam 10D and carries the mounting element 44 firmly against the connector 64 so that the bearing surface 34 is supported Against the connector 64, the upper flange 28 of the beam 10D rests firmly against the upper flange 28 of the beam 10C and the lower flange 30 of the beam 10D rests firmly against the lower flange 30 of the beam 10C. A plug 76 is used to close the hole 66 in the outer connector 64C. In this way a stable T 61B joint element is formed.

Figure 7 shows a section of a modular, folding and reusable structure 100 that is constructed from a plurality of beams 10 and fixing devices 60 that are used to interconnect the beams 10.

In addition to the crosshead 61A the structure 100 has a plurality of support pillars 102 which are fixed to a beam 10A.

Each of the pillars 102 has an upper end 104 to which a coupling nut 106 is attached in any appropriate manner such as by welding. A set of coupling nuts 106 that is placed at an appropriate distance from the upper end 104 joins the sides of the pillar 102.

The beam 10A is fixed to the pillars 102 in two ways. The abutment 102A is attached to the first end 18 of the beam 12A by means of a screw 62 that passes through the mounting element 32 and is screwed into a coupling nut 106 that joins the side of the abutment 102A. The combination of screw 62 and nut 106 is used to place the support surface 34 in direct contact with the abutment 102A so that the upper flange 28, the support surface 34 and the lower flange 30 all rest firmly against the side of the pillar 102A.

The beam 10A rests on the abutment 102B and the upper end 104 of the abutment 102B rests against the bottom flange 30 in a second joint formation 50. A screw 62 passes through the sleeve 52 and the opening 56 and is screwed into the nut of coupling 106 at the upper end 104. By means of the combination of screw 62 and nut 106, the abutment 102B is fixed to the beam 10A in the second joint formation 50.

It is important to understand that each of the screws 62 extends in the respective groove 36 and sleeve 52 in the same plane as the wall 22. The access openings 42 are essential to allow the insertion and removal of the screws 62 in the grooves 36 and also allow the use of tools (not shown) to tighten and loosen the screws 62. The access slots 54 have a similar formation with respect to the sleeves 52 of the access formations 48, 50.

The openings 58 are oval to allow small adjustments in the alignment of the opposite ends 18, 20 of the beams 10 that join the wall 22 of a cross member 10.

A plurality of flooring elements 108 of any suitable type is placed on the beams 10A to form a floor 110. The flooring elements 108 are attached to the beams 10 in any appropriate manner.

The roof elements or plates 112 of any suitable type are coupled with the lower sides 16 of the beams 10 in any appropriate manner to form a roof 114.

The floor 110 is separated from the ceiling 114 by the height of the beams 10 and a space 115 is formed between the floor 110 and the ceiling 114 where any required conduit, wiring or insulation can be installed (not shown).

Figures 8 and 9 show a two-storey exhibition stand 100A that is constructed in the manner described from a plurality of beams 10, fixing devices 60 and pillars 102. A spiral staircase 116 is used to provide access from a ground floor level 118 at a first floor level 120. The staircase 116 joins at least one of the beams 10 of the structure 100A in the same manner as a pillar 102.

The ladder 116 has a plurality of steps 122. Each step 122 extends from a central pillar 124 of the ladder 116. A lower rail 126 spirals around the central pillar 124 and joins the front ends of the steps 122. A Vertical reinforcement 128 extends from each step 122 and a top rail 130 that spirals around the central pillar 124 joins each of the reinforcements 128 to provide a railing.

As shown in Figure 10, each of the steps 122 has a construction similar to that of the beam 10 except that there is no lower flange 30 attached to the lower side 16 and each step 122 has only a first mounting element 32. In cross section each step 122 is T-shaped. The mounting element 32 of each step is fixed to the central pillar 124 in the same way that the mounting element 32 of the beam 10A in Figure 7 is fixed to the pillar 102A. The coupling nuts 106 that are fixed to the side of the central pillar 124 spirally spiral downwardly inside the central pillar 124 to ensure proper separation of the steps 122 around and down the central pillar 124. The wall 22 of each step 122 rests against the central pillar 124 and the lower and upper rails 126, 130 that interconnect the steps 122 provide additional stability to the

5 stair 116.

The exact configuration and inter-coupling pattern of the various beams 10 and fixing devices 60 vary depending on the requirements and the specific structure 100 that is constructed.

The fact that only a single screw is used to attach one end of a beam 10 to an adjacent beam 10 or a pillar 102 increases the speed at which structure 100 can be constructed and deconstructed. The fact that only

10 uses a single combination of screw 62 and nut at each end of the beam 10 further alleviates various alignment problems during the construction of the structure 100. As a central screw 62 is used at each end of the beam 10, the beam 10 can turn at any desired degree on the screw 62, which increases the flexibility of a construction system that uses the beams 10.

To facilitate transport, structure 100 is originally in the form of a kit consisting of the

15 various individual parts that are used to construct the structure 100. Such a kit will inevitably have a plurality of beams 10 and a plurality of fixing devices 60 that are used to interconnect the beams

10. Additionally and depending on the type of structure 100 required, the kit will also include a plurality of pillars 102.

Claims (10)

1. A construction element for use in construction structures, the construction element comprising an elongated body (12) having a first side (14), a second opposite side (16), a first end (18), a second opposite end (20), a flat element (22), which extends in a first direction (24) from the second end to the first end in a first plane (26), a first flange formation (28) that is fixed to the flat element on the first side and a first mounting formation (32) fixed to the first end and adapted to couple the construction element to other parts in the formation of said structure, the first assembly formation including a support formation (34) located at said first end in a position between said first side and said second side to rest on other parties in the formation of such a structure; and the construction element being characterized in that the first assembly formation includes a receiver formation (36) adapted to receive a screw (62) to extend in said first direction through the receiver formation to couple the construction element to the other parts , and because the flat element includes an access opening (42) therethrough, adjacent to the receiving formation and adapted to allow access from either side of the flat element so that said screw is inserted into the receiving formation in said first direction .

2.

A construction element according to Claim 1, further characterized in that the body includes a second flange formation (30) that is fixed to the flat element on the second side.

3.

A construction element according to Claim 2, further characterized in that the body is in the form of an H in cross section.

Four.

A construction element according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the flat element includes a wall (22), which extends between the first and second sides and the first and second ends.

5.

A construction element according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the receiving formation extends in the foreground.

6.

A construction element according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that it includes a second assembly formation (44) which is identical in construction to the first assembly formation and which is fixed to the second end.

7.

A construction element according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that it includes at least a first joint formation (50) on the first side having a coupling element (52) that engages with the body and a groove of access (54) in the flat element.

8.

A construction element according to Claim 7, further characterized in that it includes at least a second joint formation (50) on the second side which is identical in construction to the first joint formation.

9.

A structure (100, 100A) that is foldable and reusable, characterized in that it includes a plurality of construction elements according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, a plurality of fixing devices

(60) including the screws (62) with which the construction elements are coupled together, a plurality of support pillars (102) in which each support pillar is locked to a construction element and a plurality of elements of flooring (108) in which each flooring element is coupled to a building element. 10. A kit for constructing a foldable and reusable structure according to Claim 9, said kit comprising a plurality of construction elements according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, a plurality of fixing devices (60) including screws (62) for coupling the construction elements together, a plurality of support pillars (102) and a plurality of flooring elements (108). REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION The list of references cited by the applicant is solely for the convenience of the reader. It is not part of the European patent document. While great care has been taken in compiling references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO declines all responsibility in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description . US 3749432 A, Janssen [0004]. DE 3303190 [0005]. DE 2644040 [0006]