GB2541022A - Bale retainer - Google Patents

Abstract

A straw bale retainer 1 comprises two pieces of wood fixed together to form a T-shaped section (figure 1). The retainer may be used in the construction of a house having a structure comprising an arch of straw bales or blocks. The retainer is preferably placed between bales or blocks of the arch such that the natural forces within the arch thrust the bales or blocks outwards onto the retainer. This load is transferred to the structure via the ends of the retainer, which are fixed to the underside of an outer flange of a curved beam.

Description

BALE RETAINER BACKGROUND.

My design for a sustainable, energy efficient starter home uses an arch of strawbales to insulate the majority of the building (drawing 4) but there are problems to overcome - which is the purpose of the 'bale retainer*. 1) Arches have a natural tendency to collapse if they are not contained somehow. 2) The components of an arch need to be tapered to fit together, but bales/blocks are usually rectangular. 3) If the bales used are of organic material they will inevitably degrade over time resulting in destructive settlement.

The bale retainer is a simple but multi-function item that is key to the design of my strawbale insulated building.

BALE RETAINER

STATEMENT

The bale retainer, in it's simplest form, is two bits of wood fixed together to form a “T” section (drawing 1).

However it can be made of many different materials but it's essential features are.

To have sufficient width in the top surface to securely capture the edges of both the bales it's retaining.

To have the correct thickness of the wedge portion to provide the tilt needed to be compatible to the radius of the building's curved rib beam. i.e. to compensate for the lack of taper of the rectangular bales or blocks.

To be of sufficient strength to withstand the weight and thrust, of the arch of bales or blocks.

ADVANTAGES

The bale retainer is such a simple and cheap device which, in conjunction with the curved rib beams (of my eco house design), provides a compact method of stopping an arch from collapsing. It enables a rectangular blocks to form a stable arch and eliminates settlement of the components of the arch - particularly important if they are an organic material such as strawbales.

BALE RETAINER DESCRIPTION.

The bale retainer is a simple T section, in most applications, as long as the bale or block it is to retain in position.

It can be made from many materials blit in it's simplest form it is two bits of wood fixed together as shown in (drawing 1).

Both portions of the T section have separate functions but being securely joined gives the bale retainer extra strength to improve all of it's functions.

Description of how it fulfils it's functions.

Re. claim (1) The thrust of the arch is resisted by the top surface of the bale retainer which has to be of sufficient width to securely capture the bale or block both below and above it. For instance a 'bale' is of relatively loose material and so would need a larger area whereas a denser *block' would need less - as long as the strength of the retainer is sufficient. The natural forces within an arch thrusts the bale or block outward onto the retainer which then transfers this load to the structure via It's ends that are fixed to the underside of the curved beam's outer flange (drawing 2).

Re. claim (2) The ends of the bale retainer need to be fixed to the curved beams securely enough to support the bale, which is resting upon the wedge portion of the retainer, thereby eliminating settlement which is otherwise inevitable, over time, if the bale is of organic material.

Re. claim (3) The bottom outer edge of the upper bale sits upon the wedge portion of the bale retainer.

Because the bales or blocks are usually rectangular the thickness of this wedge portion controls the tilt of the upper bale by replacing the taper that components of an arch require to fit together for stability, so it's thickness (t) is directly related to the radius of the arch.

Note;- There is a retainer for every bale (drawing 3)

Also a, by the way, advantage of the retainer is that it's length automatically and precisely spaces the curved structural rib beams, that speeds the buildings assembly, it also adds rigidity to the whole structure.

Claims (3)

1. CLAIMS Used in conjunction with a curved “Γ beam (not part of this application) or similar, the 'bale retainer* facilitates a single thickness of rectangular bales/blocks to be formed into a stable arch and it's main functions are;- ¢1) The bale retainer resists the outward thrust of an arch of bales/blocks.
2. (2) The bale retainer according to claim 1 supports every bale/block.
3. (3) The bale retainer according to claim 1 tilts every bale/block the precise amount to match the curvature of the buildings main structure.