GB1586306A

GB1586306A - Modular constructional elements

Info

Publication number: GB1586306A
Application number: GB4129577A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-10-05
Filing date: 1977-10-04
Publication date: 1981-03-18
Also published as: DE2745321A1; FR2367244B1; FR2367244A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MODULAR CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS (71) I, LUCIEN LAGROST, a French Citizen of 24, rue de la Moinerie, 77210 Avon, France, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to a new modular construction element having many applications.

Numerous construction elements whose sections are of varying complexity, have already been proposed in various techniques.

In fact, they have the advantage of being suitable for numerous combinations, without necessitating special adaptation and of being able to be manufactured easily, by moulding or drawing from light, strong and economical materials.

These construction elements are generally rectilinear, which facilitates their manufacture, but limits their uses.

The present invention intends to propose a new modular construction element which, owing to the very fact of its general section, makes it possible to produce rigid structures different from those of the prior art, for a minimum cost and without special tools.

This modular sectional member can be made of metal, alloy or plastics material or any material which can be cast or agglomerated.

According to the present invention there is provided a modular construction element comprising a one-piece structure of substantially right-angled isosceles triangular outline defined by a member of substantially L-shaped cross-section, one arm of the Lshaped member lying in a plane and defining the triangular outline of the element and the other arm of the L-shaped member having at least one aperture therein at each side of the triangular structure for the passage of a securing means therethrough.

In a preferred embodiment which will be described in detail hereafter, at least one reinforcing rib is provided for each side of the structure, each rib lying in a plane mutually perpendicular to the arms forming the Lshaped cross-section of the member to which it is attached.

A construction element of this type can be produced easily, for example by moulding, from inexpensive materials and it makes it possible to produce, at the points of use, for a low cost, varied structures of large dimensions of which certain are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, without the latter being in any way limiting. Tn.these drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular construction element according to the invention, Figures 2 to 9 are diagrammatic views illustrating certain applications of this construction member.

The one-piece modular sectional element shown in figure 1 is in the general form of a right-angled isosceles triangle and is constituted by an angle member of L-shaped cross-section which defines the three sides 1, 2, 3. of the element, repective flat arms la and 3a (2a not being visible in Figure 1) of the L-shaped member being located in the same plane and respective perpendicular arms lb, 2b, 3b joined in pairs by flat parts 4, 5 and 6, truncating the triangular structure in the vicinity of its three vertices. The flat parts 4 and 5 are perpendicular to the arms la and lb of the side 1, whereas the flat part 6 is parallel to the arm ib.

The sides 1, 2 and 3 are reinforced transversely by ribs such as 7, respectively at right-angles to the arms la, ib, 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b.

Apertures such as 8 are provided in the arms of each side 1, 2 and 3, as well as in the flat parts 4, 5 and 6, for the purpose of facilitating connection, by means of screws or similar members, of the sectional element and other parts or identical sectional elements.

As shown clearly in figure 1, the sectional elements according to the invention could easily be produced by moulding light alloys or plastics materials. As will be described hereafter with reference to figures 2 to 9, it also lends itself to the production, directly at the points of useThsites or the like-of girders of great length or structures of large dimensions, which have excellent mechanical strength, combined with their light weight.

As shown in figure 2, a particularly simple use of the sectional element according to the invention is that of a bracket or shelf support, by fixing the arm 2b to a wall or partition and by fixing a plank or panel to the perpendicular arm 3b.

As shown in figure 3, it is also possible to connect two identical sectional members by their arms 2b or 3b and to fix one of the latter by its arm lb against a wall or partition to form a wider support or bracket than in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows the construction of two types of different girders, one vertical 9, resulting from the connection of the arms 2b and 3b of identical sectional elements placed top to bottom, the other horizontal 10, formed by the juxtaposition of identical sectional elements, connected in the region of the flat parts 4 and 5, the arms lb being located as an extension one of the other.

whereas a lower member, formed simply by a cable or steel strip 11 perforated at regular intervals, is fixed to the flat parts 6.

The ease with which such girders can be produced on site and even on scaffolding should be noted, it being only necessary to supply the sectional elements, rolls of perforated strip and screws and nuts for connecting the latter.

Figure 5 shows a girder 12, which is in this case double, produced by connecting two single girders such as 10, in the region of the flat parts 6, with or without the interposition of a steel strip or the like between the flat parts 6.

Another double girder 13 (Fig. 6) is made by connecting sectional elements according to the invention top to bottom, alternately with the flat parts 6 in facing relationship or with their arms l b in mutual contact, two outer reinforcing members, constituted simply, as previously, by a perforated strip or steel cable or any longitudinal sectional -member, being fixed to the flat parts 4 and 5 of the sectional elements.

Figure 7 illustrates the application of the sectional elements to the production of a framework 14 for a staircase intended to support horizontal plates, for example planks, forming the steps. The sectional elements are interconnected by the flat parts 4 and 5, the parts lb thus being placed one in the -extension of the other. By placing such structures 14 in parallel, at 45;, as shown, i e. with the arms 2b and 3b respectively in a horizontal and vertical position, the arms 3b may serve as a support for panels forming the steps.

.It will be noted that it is also possible to fix plates to the arms lh or to the flat parts 6 of such structures 14 placed in parallel in a horizontal position, to produce light and strong palettes of any dimensions.

Figure 8 shows the construction of frames by means of sectional elements according to the invention, two structures identical to those of figure 7 being connected in the region of the ridge by a sectional element whose arms 2b, 3b are fixed to the arms ib of adjacent sectional members to form a truss 15. One should also note the ease with which such frameworks may be produced at their place of use, for a lower cost than metal frames or traditional wooden frames, whilst providing mechanical strength and safety at least equal to the latter. In this case, the upper members may advantageously be formed by conventional panels which may serve as the lower roofing or even as the roofing. To obtain stronger structures, it is possible to connect the sectional elements back to back by the arms Ia, 2a, 3a.

Figure 9 illustrates the construction of a post or girder 16 having a square section, by means of sectional elements according to the invention. Four identical sectional elements are connected in pairs by their arms 2b, 3b, at right-angles to a longitudinal member 17 of square section, in contact with which are the flat parts 6, which are fixed to this longitudinal member, or four angle members or square tubes fixed by the flat parts 4 and 5.

Naturally, other structures which can be produced from sectional elements according to the invention are within the scope of a man skilled in the art. For example, it is obvious that with sectional elements of this type it is possible to construct machine frames, grids, or numerous types of girders or frames on site. In all cases there is the advantage inherent in modular sectional elements according to the invention, namely their low weight, facilitating the construction of complicated structures of large dimensions, which are light and nevertheless strong, at the actual points of use. Furthermore, the sectional elements according to the invention may be dismantled and re-assembled without any limitation.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A modular construction element comprising a one-piece structure of substantially right-angled isosceles triangular outline defined by a member of substantially L-shaped cross-section, one arm of the L-shaped member lying in a plane and defining the triangular outline of the element and the other arm of the L-shaped member having at least one aperture therein at each side of the triangular structure for the passage of a securing means therethrough.

2. an element as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one reinforcing rib is provided for each side of the structure,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. at the points of useThsites or the like-of girders of great length or structures of large dimensions, which have excellent mechanical strength, combined with their light weight. As shown in figure 2, a particularly simple use of the sectional element according to the invention is that of a bracket or shelf support, by fixing the arm 2b to a wall or partition and by fixing a plank or panel to the perpendicular arm 3b. As shown in figure 3, it is also possible to connect two identical sectional members by their arms 2b or 3b and to fix one of the latter by its arm lb against a wall or partition to form a wider support or bracket than in figure 1. Figure 4 shows the construction of two types of different girders, one vertical 9, resulting from the connection of the arms 2b and 3b of identical sectional elements placed top to bottom, the other horizontal 10, formed by the juxtaposition of identical sectional elements, connected in the region of the flat parts 4 and 5, the arms lb being located as an extension one of the other. whereas a lower member, formed simply by a cable or steel strip 11 perforated at regular intervals, is fixed to the flat parts 6. The ease with which such girders can be produced on site and even on scaffolding should be noted, it being only necessary to supply the sectional elements, rolls of perforated strip and screws and nuts for connecting the latter. Figure 5 shows a girder 12, which is in this case double, produced by connecting two single girders such as 10, in the region of the flat parts 6, with or without the interposition of a steel strip or the like between the flat parts 6. Another double girder 13 (Fig. 6) is made by connecting sectional elements according to the invention top to bottom, alternately with the flat parts 6 in facing relationship or with their arms l b in mutual contact, two outer reinforcing members, constituted simply, as previously, by a perforated strip or steel cable or any longitudinal sectional -member, being fixed to the flat parts 4 and 5 of the sectional elements. Figure 7 illustrates the application of the sectional elements to the production of a framework 14 for a staircase intended to support horizontal plates, for example planks, forming the steps. The sectional elements are interconnected by the flat parts 4 and 5, the parts lb thus being placed one in the -extension of the other. By placing such structures 14 in parallel, at 45;, as shown, i e. with the arms 2b and 3b respectively in a horizontal and vertical position, the arms 3b may serve as a support for panels forming the steps. .It will be noted that it is also possible to fix plates to the arms lh or to the flat parts 6 of such structures 14 placed in parallel in a horizontal position, to produce light and strong palettes of any dimensions. Figure 8 shows the construction of frames by means of sectional elements according to the invention, two structures identical to those of figure 7 being connected in the region of the ridge by a sectional element whose arms 2b, 3b are fixed to the arms ib of adjacent sectional members to form a truss 15. One should also note the ease with which such frameworks may be produced at their place of use, for a lower cost than metal frames or traditional wooden frames, whilst providing mechanical strength and safety at least equal to the latter. In this case, the upper members may advantageously be formed by conventional panels which may serve as the lower roofing or even as the roofing. To obtain stronger structures, it is possible to connect the sectional elements back to back by the arms Ia, 2a, 3a. Figure 9 illustrates the construction of a post or girder 16 having a square section, by means of sectional elements according to the invention. Four identical sectional elements are connected in pairs by their arms 2b, 3b, at right-angles to a longitudinal member 17 of square section, in contact with which are the flat parts 6, which are fixed to this longitudinal member, or four angle members or square tubes fixed by the flat parts 4 and 5. Naturally, other structures which can be produced from sectional elements according to the invention are within the scope of a man skilled in the art. For example, it is obvious that with sectional elements of this type it is possible to construct machine frames, grids, or numerous types of girders or frames on site. In all cases there is the advantage inherent in modular sectional elements according to the invention, namely their low weight, facilitating the construction of complicated structures of large dimensions, which are light and nevertheless strong, at the actual points of use. Furthermore, the sectional elements according to the invention may be dismantled and re-assembled without any limitation. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A modular construction element comprising a one-piece structure of substantially right-angled isosceles triangular outline defined by a member of substantially L-shaped cross-section, one arm of the L-shaped member lying in a plane and defining the triangular outline of the element and the other arm of the L-shaped member having at least one aperture therein at each side of the triangular structure for the passage of a securing means therethrough.

each rib lying in a plane mutually perpendicular to the arms forming the L-shaped crosssection of the member to which it is attached.

3. An element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the corners are truncated, the truncated portions at the ends of the hypotenuse side of the triangular element lying in planes normal to the hypotenuse and the other truncated portion lying in a plane parallel to the hypotenuse.

4. A modular construction element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.