FR2736073A1 - Modular wall and floor construction system - Google Patents

Abstract

A series of vertical posts (1) are formed with locating cut-outs (8) at intervals along their height, and include longitudinal projections (5,4) at their upper and lower ends. Cooperating horizontal beams (2) are formed with similar locating cut-outs (7) at intervals along their length. Top and bottom beams are also provided, with holes (6) formed at intervals and dimensioned to receive the end projections of the vertical posts. The spacing intervals of the locating cut-outs and holes of all components are identical. When assembled as a wall studding frame, the top member of the frame is formed by a pair of beams juxtaposed.

Description

 The invention relates to a construction system allowing the construction of all types of buildings on one or more levels, by assembling a reduced number of elementary parts.

 Their assembly in different combinations makes it possible to constitute the entire framework of a construction, load-bearing structures or not, in elevation, in horizontal or inclined plan.

The main construction systems currently used are:
- the so-called "traditional" construction of walls, floors
linked by horizontal and vertical chains;
- industrial buildings: posts, beams
siding;
- total or partial prefabrication of panels
factory sandwiches;
- "light" construction of the Wood Frame House type
(MOB).

 In the first case, the construction operations successively involve trades with a very specialized workforce, hence the additional cost and longer lead times.

 The other two cases require heavy investment in manufacturing, transport and lifting equipment. In addition, they are synonymous with standardization incompatible with the variety of architectural creations.

 The last case, more flexible and quick, does not alleviate the problems of manpower, and ends with the current techniques of MOB, either with products too typed "leisure, mountain, temporary accommodation ...", or when we use the so-called "box" technique, poorly finished and not very stable constructions (problem of connections between materials and treatment of joints between panels).

 The construction system, object of the present invention, combines the qualities of flexibility and speed of light construction with the advantages of industrial techniques: precision, lowering costs but without the need for large investments.

 In this sense the object of the present invention is to constitute the entire structure of the building from a very small number of basic elements, simple, pre-machined, in the best economic conditions while retaining complete freedom of architectural design.

The construction system, object of the present invention, comprises three main basic elements:
- The post, vertical element which ensures the descent
loads, presents nesting machining for
receive sleepers. By its machined ends, it
fits into the positioning slots provided
this effect in low and high beams.

- The cross member, a stiffening transverse element which ensures
the bracing of the building panels. She
itself presents machining of sockets, to
regular spacings determining the weft, in order to
assemble mechanically on posts or on
other sleepers.

- The stringer, a peripheral connecting element which presents
regularly spaced positioning slots
according to the same frame as the sleepers, intended for
receive the posts of the vertical walls of the
construction.

 Another object of the present invention is to make it possible, by varying the value of the frame, to adapt to any construction plan, to the dimensions of the covering support panels (for example: particle board, plasterboard, support plaster, etc.) and finishing coatings applied directly (for example, clapboards, paneling, clothing, etc.).

 Another object of the present invention is to leave free choice to designers and users as to the nature of the coatings and their supports on both sides thanks to the quality of precision and rigidity of the assembly which can alone ensure bracing. However, if necessary, it can be reinforced inside the structure by a bracing frame, Saint Andrew's cross, or any other existing system, or else by fixing a working veil on any of the faces.

 Another object of the present invention is to use it without coating the faces to produce decorative structures: screening, pergola, .etc ...

 Another object of the present invention is to manufacture these basic elements, from various materials such as wood, metals, plastics, composites, in foundry, molding or profile, or based on mineral binders. In all cases, the sections of the profiles are determined as a function of the mechanical performance of said materials.

 Another object of the present invention is to manufacture these basic elements from the same material which ensures the homogeneity of the construction, and in similar sections for economic reasons of supply, of continuous industrial production, inventory management, limiting losses from unused falls.

 Another object of the present invention is to manufacture these basic elements in a format such that they will have reduced dimensions and weight in order to be easily transportable and manipulable without particular devices.

 Another object of the present invention is to define a system for mechanical assembly of the elements together, dry, precise and rapid. However, the assembly knot can be reinforced depending on the material used, by any suitable fixing means: gluing, stapling, nailing, screwing, riveting, clamping, welding, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the assembly by a non-specialized workforce, in extremely short time, and according to the interest specific to each project:
- either on building sites, in the case of difficult access,
complex terrain adaptations, self-construction,
use of local labor.

- either industrially for projects of a character
repetitive and / or transportable (for example for
Light Leisure Housing).

- either by combining the best interests of the two
formulas by making for example panels in
workshop, assembled together in situ and capable of being
removable.

 Another object of the present invention is the natural ventilation of all the structures produced due to the circulation of air in the spaces left free by the original device for assembling the vertical walls and the machining of sockets and unoccupied positioning in each of the basic elements.

 Another object of the present invention is the creation of a volume available for the passage of networks and technical sheaths in all of the structures and leaving any latitude for strengthening thermal and / or sound insulation.

 According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to create holes in the thickness of the basic elements in order to favor the passage of the networks and technical sheaths as well as the filling of the interior of the structure with materials: insulators , hydraulic binders, lightened or not.

 The construction system, object of the present invention, makes it possible, by different combinations of these basic elements, to produce the entire framework of a construction and more particularly the following structural works: floor, vertical walls, roof support.

 Particular embodiments are described below by way of illustration, but without being able to be considered as exclusive or limiting with regard to the possible variants within the framework of the construction system of the present invention.

The descriptions refer to the following attached drawings:
- plate 1/6: representing figure 1 in perspective view
the three basic elements and their respective machining;
- 2/6 board representing a floor: figure 2 in view
perspective, figure 3 in section, figure 4 a detail
assembly;
- board 3/6 representing a vertical wall: figure 5
in perspective view, Figure 6 in section, Figure 7 a detail
assembly;
- plate 4/6 representing figure 8 in perspective view
the assembly of angles of the vertical walls;
- 5/6 plate representing in perspective view
the incorporation of carpentry pre-frames, figure 9 a
together, Figure 10 a detail of the view;
- plate 6/6: representing figure 11 a variant in sight
perspective of the three basic elements drilled.

Below, a preferred choice is given as an example, optimizing the advantages of the construction system object of the present invention, where the constituent material is wood and whose basic elements (Fig.l): the post (1) of width
Lp and thickness EP, the crossmember (2) of width LT and thickness ET, the beam (3) of width LL and thickness EL, verify dimension conditions such as:
- thickness of the basic elements (1), (2), (3) E = Ep = ET = EL
- female positioning machining section (6) on
the arm (3) suitable for male positioning machining
(4 and 5) of the post (1).

- width of socket machining (7 and 8): EE = E + J
(J being an assembly clearance depending on the material used
to allow a hard assembly with the mallet and
sufficiently limited to preserve the accuracy of the
alignments and the quality of rigidity sought in the
aim of ensuring the non-deformability of the walls:
bracing).

- depth of socket machining (P1) of
posts (1) and (P2) of the crosspieces (2), such as (P1)
different from (P2), (justification explained
later) as well as P1 less than or equal to a third
of Lp, to preserve the integrity of the posts under the
vertical loads.

- the machining of sockets (8) of the posts (1) re
the crosspieces (2) leave on the height of the wall
vertical. Their variable number and their levels are
determined according to the stability constraints and
opening locations: H1, H2, H3, H4, H5.

- height of end position machining (4)
low of the posts (1): 1B = E.

- height of the end position machining (5)
high of the posts (1): IH = 2 E.

- widths of the basic elements:
post (1) = Lp, crosspiece (2) = LT, smooth (3) =:
such as: Lp = LT and LL = Lp + (P2 - P1).

- post length (1): floor height (Hp) + 1B + IH
- length of crosspieces (2) and beams (3) according to a
multiple of the frame (T), adapted to the limits of
transport, machining, the cuts being made on site
following the plans.

 However, if a different material, proportions or profile were chosen, they would only be variants embraced by the present inventive concept.

The floor: fig.2, fig.3, fig.4, object of the present invention, is made by assembling the crosspieces (2) between them so as to constitute a grid network (T) made of a series of crosspieces lower parallel to each other, whose interlocking machining (7) are arranged upward to receive perpendicularly a second series of upper crosspieces, parallel to each other whose interlocking machining (7) are arranged downwards and assembled to the first aforementioned in terms of their nesting machining
The vertical walls: fig.5, fig.6, fig.7, object of the present invention, are produced by the assembly of crosspieces (2) transversely to the posts (1) at their respective interlocking machining (7 ) and (8).

 The difference in depth (P2 - P1) of the machining of sockets (7) in the crosspieces (2) and of the machining of sockets (8) in the posts (1), in the case where these basic elements are the same section, allows to leave a free space (12) between the covering (9) fixed on the post (1) and the cross-member (2), as well as a free space (13) between the covering (10) fixed on the cross-member (2) and the post (1).

 This arrangement, object of the present invention, shown in fig. 6, can be obtained by giving separate values to the widths (Lp and LT) of the basic elements: posts (1) and crosspieces (2).

 This arrangement, object of the present invention, shown in fig. 6, creates a thermal and phonic bridge break by breaking the transmission continuity (12), (13) between the faces (9) and (10).

 This arrangement, which is the subject of the present invention, shown in FIG. 6, acts as a passage for technical ducts, possibly a filling orifice for a complementary insulation material, and allows natural ventilation.

 By adapting the number of basic elements (1) and (2) in the structure, using a greater or lesser number of interlocking (7), (8) and positioning (6) machining operations, the choice of raw material and cross-section of these elements (1), (2), (3) we meet the load constraints due to the nature of the project: roof overloads, operational overloads, floors.

 The angles, of any value (a), shown in fig. 8, are produced by simple cutting (16) of the crosspieces (2) using a template positioned by the closest nesting machining (7) , predetermined according to this value (a) and the wall connection. In this case, the connection is constituted by a simple post (15); However, this is not specific to the construction system which is the subject of the present invention and can be replaced by any other suitable connection mode.

 At the head of the wall, two rows of beams (3) are superimposed with a longitudinal offset (D1) of one or more wefts (T) to allow the "locking", such as chaining, of the vertical walls.

 The width (LL) of the rails (3) corresponds to the thickness of the vertical wall not including the coverings (9) and (10) of each face.

 The rails (3) placed at the top and bottom of the vertical walls, ensure both the positioning and the connection of the walls to each other as well as to the other components of the structure, floor, ceiling, frame.

 The cover support, object of the present invention, is made identically to the floor fig.2 and can directly receive all types of undersides, insulation, covers.

 According to a variant illustrated in FIG. 11, holes (18) of shape and dimension determined according to the mechanical strength of the material chosen and their functions, are drilled in the thickness, variants of the basic post elements (lb), crosspiece (2b), smooth (3b).

 Each of the components of the construction system which is the subject of the present invention: floor, wall, roofing support, can be associated with other construction techniques: walls on concrete slab, frame with trusses, interior partitioning, extension or elevation of an existing construction, etc ...

 The mode of application of the construction system, object of the present invention, hereinafter described, to our preference because it values the qualities of simplicity and speed, but is given by way of example without limitation when to other mounting options or suggestions.

 The preparatory phase of the land (foundations, beams, stringers, bases, studs, etc.) is considered to have been carried out beforehand, ready to receive the building to be constructed.

 The ribbed floor (fig.2) is made on site by assembling two perpendicular series of crosspieces (2) by hand and with a mallet. The first series of crosspieces (2) is arranged on the ground parallel to each other, on edge, interlocking machining operations (7) upwards, and receives the second series of transverse crosspieces (2) parallel to each other, interlocking machining operations ( 7) facing down.

 Within each series, the crosspieces (2) are staggered so as to avoid aligning their ends with respect to the crosspieces (2) of the other series (D2) and (D3). The supporting structure created receives on the surface a collaborating veil (11), screwed or nailed, of a type and thickness adapted to the loads and the final coating.

 The finished floor is anchored by any fixing method adapted to the pending foundation elements, after interposition of an insulating material from the capillary lifts.

 The low beams (3) for receiving the vertical walls are fixed to the floor, end to end according to the construction plan.

 The walls are assembled on the ground before being erected. The posts (1) are positioned on edge, perpendicular to the heald, machining of sockets (8) upwards, upper part (5) in the axis of the positioning machining (6) provided in the heald (3 ) to receive the lower part (4) of the post (1) when the entire wall is raised. The crosspieces (2) are fitted to the post (1) by hand and the mallet, taking care to offset them longitudinally (D4) to avoid aligning their ends on the same post (1). The angle cuts (16) on the crosspieces (2) are made using a template determined according to their position and the opening of the desired angle (a) before their installation.

After the veil (9) or (10) has been put in place, working if necessary, the wall is raised, positioned in the low heald (3) and roughly supported until the adjacent walls are put in place.

In the cutouts (16) previously made in the crosspieces (2) a corner post (15) of appropriate section comes to rest on the bottom rail (3) and bind the walls together. Once the set of walls has been erected, two superimposed top rails (3), shown in Fig. 8 and 9, offset between them longitudinally (D1), crossed in the corners (17), cover the upper part of the posts (1) , acting as peripheral chaining.

 Joined pre-frames (14) receiving standard joinery blocks are incorporated into the walls when they are assembled on the ground, at the locations provided on the construction plan. The weakening caused by the piercing of the wall to receive a joinery, is compensated by the design of the pre-frame (14) and the possible reinforcement obtained by the increase in its proximity of the number of posts (1) and / or of sleepers (2).

 The intermediate floors and roof supports produced according to the same diagram as the floors (fig. 2) are put in place and fixed at the head of the wall or on a wall plate in the case of an inclined roof. In this case the gables are erected like any vertical wall on the base of the last high beam (3) and set to the desired slope by cutting, following an inclined beam acting as a leveling.

 All the described assemblies can be reinforced, according to prescription, by any suitable fixing means: gluing, stapling, nailing, screwing, riveting, welding.

 The construction system according to the invention lends itself particularly to an industrialized manufacture of its components due to the similarity of the materials, of the section and of the machining carried out. This production of simple linear elements, perfectly adapted to conventional means of production, can also be the subject of specific production units, possibly mobile. In this case, the applications of this technology prove to be easily exploitable in any geographic and economic situation in particular within the framework of important projects.

Claims (9)

 1) Constructive system for making self-bracing structures, load-bearing or not, by association of a reduced number of basic elements, characterized by:  - vertical elements or posts (1) comprising on  their height of the fitting machining (8) as well as  positioning machining at the top (5) and at the bottom (4);  - transverse elements or cross members (2) comprising  along their length, adapted fitting machining (7)  to the fitting processes (8) of the posts (1);  - connecting or smooth elements (3) comprising  positioning machining (6) suitable for machining  bottom (4) and top (5) positioning of the posts (1);  - The spacings between the machining (7) of the sleepers  (2) and the spacings between the machining (6) of the beams  (3) are identical and constitute a frame (T)  adaptable to all construction plans.  2) Construction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly of crosspieces (2) on posts (1) positioned at the bottom on healds (3) and linked at the head by a double row of healds (3), receiving covering webs (9) and (10), constitutes vertical walls.  3) Construction system according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that at least one of the sails (9) or (10) is collaborating.  4) Construction system according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the depths (P1) and (P2) of the interlocking machining operations (7) and (8) on the one hand and / or the width of the basic elements (Lp ) and (LT) sleepers (2) and posts (1), on the other hand are chosen so as to arrange spaces (12) between the sleeper (2), support of the covering (10) and the covering (9) of the opposite face of the wall, and / or (13) between the post (1), support of the covering (9) and the covering (10) of the opposite face of the wall.  5) Construction system according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the assembly of two crossed and inverted series of crosspieces (2) parallel, assembled moon to another at the socket machining (7), constitutes a floor structure.  6) Construction system according to one of the preceding claims characterized by the assembly of the basic elements perpendicularly to each other: cross member (2) on post (1) and post (1) on rail (3) to make vertical walls, cross member (2) between them to make floor structures.  7) Construction method carried out using the construction system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the prefabrication in the workshop of the vertical wall and floor panels, and their assembly in situ.  8) Construction method carried out using the construction system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized by the association of the system with other construction techniques: as walls on concrete slab, as wall frame support with trusses, as interior partitioning, as wall and floor for 1 extension or extension of existing construction.  9) Construction system according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by the drilling of holes (18) in the thickness of the base post elements (lb), crosspiece (2b), smooth (3b).