GB2128648A - Modular construction unit and composite structures assembled therefrom - Google Patents
Modular construction unit and composite structures assembled therefrom Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2128648A GB2128648A GB08226073A GB8226073A GB2128648A GB 2128648 A GB2128648 A GB 2128648A GB 08226073 A GB08226073 A GB 08226073A GB 8226073 A GB8226073 A GB 8226073A GB 2128648 A GB2128648 A GB 2128648A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- unitary
- structures
- adjacent
- skin
- tubular members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/34—Pontoons
- B63B35/38—Rigidly-interconnected pontoons
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
- E04B1/61—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other
- E04B1/6108—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together
- E04B1/612—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces
- E04B1/6145—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces with recesses in both frontal surfaces co-operating with an additional connecting element
- E04B1/6162—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces with recesses in both frontal surfaces co-operating with an additional connecting element the connection made by an additional locking key
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
- E04C2/02—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials
- E04C2/26—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups
- E04C2/284—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups at least one of the materials being insulating
- E04C2/296—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups at least one of the materials being insulating composed of insulating material and non-metallic or unspecified sheet-material
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
Abstract
A plurality of unitary modular structures are used to form a composite structure for use as a marine vessel or a building or both, each unitary structure (1) comprising a skeletal framework (2) embedded within a plastics foam material (3) and covered by a plastics skin (4), ends of the framework being exposed through the skin (4) to accommodate coupling means (5) such as dowels, to allow adjacent unitary structures to be clamped together in sealing-tight relationship. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Modular construction unit and composite structures assembled therefrom
This invention relates to modular construction
units and to composite structures assembled from a plurality of such modular units, such composite structures having a variety of uses such as for example as a marine vessel or structure or as a building or as a multi-purpose combination of such uses.
An object of the invention is to provide modular construction units capable of being assembled together to form a composite structure such as a marine vessel and/or building.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a unitary modular structure arranged to form part of a composite structure formed from a plurality of such unitary structures, each unitary structure comprising a skeletal frame formed of at least one tubular member having at least one end thereof exposed for coupling a tubular member of one unitary structure to an adjacent unitary structure, the or each tubular member being embedded within or enveloped by, a layer of plastics foam material covered with a plastics protective skin, and each unitary structure being arranged to be coupled in sealing tight engagement with one or more adjacent unitary structures by coupling means located within exposed ends of the tubular members of adjacent unitary structures.
According to a further'aspect of the invention there is provided a composite structure formed from a plurality of unitary modular structures, each unitary structure being formed of plastics foam material covered with, a protective outer skin and having located therewithin at least one tubular member having at least one end thereof exposed, and adjacent unitary structures having coupling means located within the exposed ends of respective tubular members to couple adjacent unitary structures together in sealing tight engagement one with the other.
According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a marine vessel constructed from a plurality of unitary modular structures having the construction referred to above and coupled together as previously indicated to form a buoyant, water tight composite structure.
In an embodiment of the invention, such a marine vessel may serve a dual purpose, for instance as a landing craft for military operations, whilst when inverted, may serve as a dwelling for housing personnel in situations where permanent protective accommodation may be non-existent.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with particular reference to the accompanying informal drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a sectional view through part of one of the unitary structures to show the composition thereof;
Figure 2a and 2b are end and side elevations respectively of a module with a detail thereof shown in Figure 2c;
Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are sectional views of parts of adjacent unitary structures showing different methods of coupling them together;
Figures 4a, 4b, 4c show details of the abutting surfaces of adjacent unitary structures;
Figures 5a and 5b are a side elevation and plan view respectively of a composite marine structure and
Figure Sc is a section taken on the line A-A of
Figure 5b.
Figure Sd is a plan view of a larger marine structure and Figure 5e is a section taken on the line B-B of Figure 5d;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a composite marine structure showing the position of the tubular framework;
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a building formed from a plurality of unitary structures;
Figures 8a to 8e show various alternative constructions of marine vessels formed from modular units and
Figure 9a to 9c show various buildings formed from a plurality of unitary structures.
Referring to Figure 1 each unitary structure 1 comprises a skeletal tubular frame 2 formed of at least one tubular member of metal or plastics material, embedded within and completely enveloped by a layer 3 of plastics foam material with the exception of the ends of the tubular members which are left exposed for a purpose hereinafter described. The plastics foam material provides buoyancy and insulation for each unitary structure and the frame and plastics foam material are completely encased in a protective plastics skin 4.
Preferably the outer surface of the skin 4 is provided with a number of longitudinally extending grooves or flutes to improve the stability of the hull when used as a marine vessel and to reduce friction when the hull is moved through the water or dragged across mud flats or the like.
In Figures 2a and 2b, a number of tubular members are shown to form the skeletal frame with the ends of the tubular members exposed to allow adjacent unitary structures to be coupled together. All modules would have a similar construction of frame so that the exposed ends of the tubular members can be arranged in matching relationship.
In Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, there is shown three methods of coupling together adjacent unitary structures.
A dowel 5 is located within the exposed ends of respective tubular members 2 of adjacent unitary structures 1, and the two structures moved towards each other by means of a quick-release clamp 6, whose arms engage in notched portions 7 provided adjacent the ends of the two unitary structures.
The dowel 5 may be of any suitable material such as metal, wood or plastics material and serves not only to locate the adjacent unitary structures in the correct aligned relationship but also acts to strengthen the joint between adjacent structures.
A different method of coupling the two adjacent structures together is shown in Figure 3c where the dowel 5 is provided with a pair of slots 8 spaced from the ends of the dowel a distance such that when the adjacent structures 1 are brought into abutting relationship, pegs or pins 9 located in holes 10 in the adjacent structures engage in the slots 8 to retain the two adjacent structures in coupled relationship.
Figures 4a to 4d illustrate how the ends of two adjacent unitary structures are arranged in close abutting relationship. The ends of the tubular members 2 of the tubular metal framework are not entirely flush with the outer surface of the skin 4 but terminate a short distance from the outer surface thus enabling the plastic skin to be compressed when the two adjacent unitary structures are clamped together, and ensuring that the joint between the adjacent structures is water proof with complete exclusion of air therefrom. A flange 10 is provided adjacent the ends of the tubular members and is covered by the plastics skin 4 such that the framework keys into the plastics skin and inhibits movement between the skin and framework.
Figures 5a to Sc illustrate a marine vessel formed of six modular units whilst Figures 5d and 5e illustrate a larger vessel of nine modular units.
Figure 6 shows how the tubular members of the framework are distributed throughout the twelve module marine vessel.
As previously indicated the modular construction of the present invention is not confined to the assembly of marine vessels and such modular units may be used for buildings or for marine vessels convertible to buildings. A building constructed from modular units is show..
in Figure 7 and Figures 8a to 8e and Figures 9a to 9e illustrate various sizes and configurations of vessels and buildings produced from the modular unitary structures described.
It will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to considerable modification and is not to be deemed limited to the particular constructional features illustrated in the drawings.
For instance various ancillary equipment may be added to the composite structure when constructing a marine vessel, such as cabins, decks, engine fitting points; these items being attached to the structure by utilising the exposed ends of the tubular frame elements. Similarly, where the composite structure is used as a building, modular windows and doors may be added and the structure either anchored directly to the ground or to a modular flooring unit.
Claims (10)
1. A unitary modular structure arranged to form part of a composite structure formed from a plurality of such unitary structures, each unitary structure comprising a skeletal frame formed of at
least one tubular member having at least one end thereof exposed for coupling a tubular member of one unitary structure to an adjacent unitary structure, the or each tubular member being
embedded within or enveloped by, a layer of
plastics foam material covered with a plastics protective skin, and each unitary structure being arranged to be coupled in sealing tight engagement with one or more adjacent unitary structures by coupling means located within exposed ends of the tubular members of adjacent unitary structures.
2. A composite structure formed from a plurality of unitary modular structures, each unitary structure being formed of plastics foam material covered with a protective outer skin and having located therewithin at least one tubular member having at least one end thereof exposed, and adjacent unitary structures having coupling means located within the exposed ends of respective tubular members to couple adjacent unitary structures together in sealing tight engagement one with the other.
3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said coupling means comprise a dowel arranged to engage in the exposed ends of the tubular members of adjacent unitary structures to couple the adjacent structures together in maligned sealing engagement one with another.
4. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein each dowel is provided with a pair of spaced holes to accommodate pins extending through respective holes in a pair of adjacent unitary structures such as to retain the structures in coupled relationship.
5. A structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the exposed ends of the tubular members terminate a short distance from the outer surface of the plastics skin such that when two adjacent unitary structures are clamped together, the skin is compressed to form a liquid tight butt joint between adjacent structures with total exclusion of air.
6. A structure as claimed in claim 1,2 or 5 wherein the ends of the tubular members are each provided with a projection which is keyed into the plastics skin to inhibit relative movement between the skin and the ends of the tubular members.
7. A marine vessel constructed from a plurality of unitary modular structures as claimed in claim 1 to form a composite structure as claimed in claim 2.
8. A building constructed from a plurality of unitary modular structures as claimed in claim 1 to form a composite structure as claimed in claim 2.
9. A unitary structure substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in Figures 1, 2a to 2c, 3a to 3c, and 4a to 4e of the accompanying drawings.
10. A composite structure substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in Figures 5a to 5e, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figures 8a to 8e and 9a to c of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08226073A GB2128648B (en) | 1982-09-13 | 1982-09-13 | Modular construction unit and composite structures assembled therefrom |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08226073A GB2128648B (en) | 1982-09-13 | 1982-09-13 | Modular construction unit and composite structures assembled therefrom |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2128648A true GB2128648A (en) | 1984-05-02 |
| GB2128648B GB2128648B (en) | 1985-09-11 |
Family
ID=10532874
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08226073A Expired GB2128648B (en) | 1982-09-13 | 1982-09-13 | Modular construction unit and composite structures assembled therefrom |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2128648B (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5193332A (en) * | 1989-07-04 | 1993-03-16 | Albert Kriegler | Spinning or twisting device with a pipe shaped element capable of being subjected to negative pressure |
| FR2878500A1 (en) * | 2004-11-26 | 2006-06-02 | P0Ralu Pvc Marine Soc Par Acti | Complement float for floating pontoon, has upper part with two longitudinal walls delimiting longitudinal and central cavity having section same as that of lower part of float, where walls have vertical ribs complementary of grooves |
| CN109184119A (en) * | 2018-10-11 | 2019-01-11 | 德清誉丰装饰材料有限公司 | A kind of metope thick china mounting structure |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1106751A (en) * | 1964-02-19 | 1968-03-20 | Frank Nogossek | Improved prefabricated building and constructional elements therefor |
-
1982
- 1982-09-13 GB GB08226073A patent/GB2128648B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1106751A (en) * | 1964-02-19 | 1968-03-20 | Frank Nogossek | Improved prefabricated building and constructional elements therefor |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5193332A (en) * | 1989-07-04 | 1993-03-16 | Albert Kriegler | Spinning or twisting device with a pipe shaped element capable of being subjected to negative pressure |
| FR2878500A1 (en) * | 2004-11-26 | 2006-06-02 | P0Ralu Pvc Marine Soc Par Acti | Complement float for floating pontoon, has upper part with two longitudinal walls delimiting longitudinal and central cavity having section same as that of lower part of float, where walls have vertical ribs complementary of grooves |
| CN109184119A (en) * | 2018-10-11 | 2019-01-11 | 德清誉丰装饰材料有限公司 | A kind of metope thick china mounting structure |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2128648B (en) | 1985-09-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |