GB2329507A - Modelling system - Google Patents

Abstract

A modelling system for the building industry comprises a plurality of modules 10 of hexagonal cross-section which can be assembled together to provide a model of a proposed building or project. The faces 12 of the module may be provided with releasable adhesive so that one module may be attached to an adjacent one. Alternatively tongues and slots may be provided on the faces 12. The modules may be open tubes, be closed with end-faces at each end, or be solid elements. Each module may be formed from two or more identical elements joined together.

Description

SPECIFICATION MODELLING SYSTEM Description The invention relates to a modelling system for the building and construction industries.

It is well-known that in the construction of buildings and large multi-building projects difficulties occur from misunderstandings which arise between architects, designers, engineers, manufactures and clients. The present invention provides means whereby models of a structure or building complex can readily be provided so that faults can be seen and rectified and differences between various parties can be appreciated and resolved before expensive errors have been made.

According to the invention a modelling system for the building and construction industries comprises a plurality of cylindrical modules, each module having a cross-section in plan view normal to the axis of the cylinder with the outline of a regular hexagon.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la shows a plan view of a module of a modelling system according to the invention, Figure l b shows the side elevation of the module of Figure 1, Figure Ic shows the front elevation of this module, Figure Id shows a perspective view of this module, Figures le and If show plan view of variants of the module of Figure la, Figures 2a and 2b show variants of the modules of Figures 1 e and if, Figures 3a and 3b show further variants of the modules of Figures le and lf, Figure 4a shows the plan view of a further module formed from two parts, Figure 4b shows a perspective view of one part of the module of Figure 4a, Figures 5a and 5b show plan and perspective views of a further module, Figures 5c, 5d and 5e show plan, elevation and perspective views of a further module.

Figure 6a shows the use of the modelling system according to the invention for the lay-out of a building project, and Figure 6b shows an elevational view of Figure 6a.

Figures la, lb, 1 c and id show a hexagonal module 10 in plan, side elevation, front elevation and perspective views respectively. As shown in Figures la and id the outer surfaces 12 of the module are those of laminae and the thickness is not represented, the module being conveniently formed from sheet metal or hard plastics material. However, modules may be formed with walls having a significant thickness, and, as shown in Figure fe, the walls have parallel inner and outer surfaces 12, 14. Alternatively, a single internal curved, e.g. circular, surface may be provided as shown in Figure If. The outer surfaces 12 may be provided with a releasable adhesive to enable one module to be attached to a neighbouring module on assembly.

As an alternative to the integral structures of Figures la - lf, a module may be formed from two identical half-elements. Figure 2a shows a module similar to that of Figure le formed from half-elements 18. End-faces 20, 22 - shown separated for ease of understanding - abut together to form the complete module. The end faces 20, 22 may be attached together by releasable or non-releasable adhesive, or by a tongue or stud on one end-face frictionally engaging a slot or recess on the other.

Figure 2b shows how the module of Figure lfmay similarly be formed from two identical half-elements 24 with abutting end-faces 26, 28.

Figure 3a and 3b show alternative half-elements 30, 32, which may be assembled together to form the modules of Figures le and If respectively. Again the end-faces may be attached to one another by adhesive, or by tongue-and-slot connection, or by stud-and-recess connection.

Figures 4a shows in plan view a further module in which half-elements 34 are formed with only six planar vertical faces, instead of the eight vertical faces of Figure 2a. In this special case the thickness b of the half-element perpendicular to a face 12 is related to the width a of the face 12 by the relationship b =i a /4, The end-faces may be provided with releasable adhesive, and when aligned as shown may be joined through attachment to an adhesive-covered face 12 of an adjacent module.

In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 the pairs of opposite faces of a module are parallel to each other. However, Figures 5a and 5b (which are drawn to different scales ) show, in plan view and perspective view respectively, a tapered module in which the planes of opposite faces 12a are inclined to one another, the angle of inclination to the axis of the module being the same for all three pairs of faces. The module has a top face 40.

Figures Sc, 5d and 5e, show in plan, elevation and perspective views, a further module which is similar to that of Figures 5a and 5b but differs in that it is solid and not hollow. As shown the module is inverted as compared with Figures 5a and 5b, i.e. the top surface 42 is bigger than the bottom surface 44. The module made be formed by securing together three partelements 46 as shown in Figure 5c, each part-element having a plan view in the shape of a parallelogram with angles of 600 and 120 . Two adjacent faces 12b of the four-faced part-element 46 are perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 42, 44, while the other two faces 1 2d. which form outer surfaces in the complete module, are tapered at a small angle to the vertical. The angle of taper A between the sloping face and the vertical as shown in 5d may have any suitable value. If this angle is between 40 and 100, e.g. 6 , a plurality of modules whose faces 12d are coated with releasable adhesive may be assembled together by attachment of the side faces 1 2d one to another to form a domed structure.

The modules heretofore described may be open tubes, or may have one or both ends closed with a planar end-face normal to the axis of the module, or may be solid bodies as appropriate.

Layers of modules may be stacked one on top of another by providing the top and bottom surfaces with releasable adhesive. Alternatively these surfaces may be provided with studs frictionally engageable with co-operating sockets.

The modules may be provided in a plurality of different heights. Conveniently each of these heights may be an integral multiple of the minimum height.

Figures 6a shows in plan view and in bold outline a typical building arrangement which can be achieved using the modules of the invention. Figure 6b shows in elevation an outline of a building structure which can be achieved using modules of two different heights.

As stated above a preferred method of attaching one module to a neighbouring module is by providing the six vertical faces with a releasable adhesive. However, by providing three alternate vertical faces of a module with centrally-disposed vertical tongues and the intervening three faces with vertical slots of a size to provide a frictional fit with a tongue any number of modules together in a planar array. Clearly, studs and recesses may replace tongues and slots.

Suitable releasable adhesives may be materials based on petroleum distillates.

Clearly the modules may have any suitable dimensions. However, modules having a minimum height between 10 and 20 mm. and a minimum dimension between parallel faces of the hexagon between 10 and 30 mm. are preferable.

It will, however, be apparent that certain modules described herein, if of a certain size and material, could be used in a temporary or permanent building; for example, the tapered modules of Figures 5c, 5d, and 5e, might form a domed roof.

The modules may be formed from any suitable material, such as plastics material or metal.

For solid modules expanded polystyrene has been found to be suitable. Other suitable materials are those based on polyethylene, polyester or polyether.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS.

1. A modelling system for the building and construction industries comprising a plurality of cylindrical modules, each module having a cross-section in plan view normal to the axis of the cylinder with the outline of a regular hexagon

2. A modelling system according to Claim 1 wherein each module comprises a single integral element.

3. A modellimg system according to Claim 1 wherein each module comprises a plurality of elements fixed together.

4. A modelling system according to Claim 1 wherein each module comprises a pair of identical elements disposed adjacent each other,

5. A modelling system according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the six faces of the module parallel to the cylinder axis is provided with means for joining the module to one of faces of an adjacent module.

6. A modelling system according to claim 4 where all six faces of the module are provided with means for joining the module to one of the faces of an adjoining module.

7. A modelling system according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 where the said means is a releasable adhesive.

8. A modelling system according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the said means is one of a tongue or a frictionally cc operating slot.

9. A modelling system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A module for a modelling system according to any of Claims 1 to 9.