IE20100348U1 - A modular construction system and a constructional element for use in the modular construction system. - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a modular construction system and a constructional element for use in the modular construction system. The constructional element has an elongated member defining a first face and an opposite second face, and at least two longitudinally spaced apart spacer elements projecting outwardly from the first face to define with the first face a building services accommodating recess.

Description

TRUE COPY "A modular construction system and a constructional element for use in the modular construction system" The present invention relates to a modular construction system, and to a constructional element for use in the modular construction system, and in particular, the invention relates to a modular construction system for constructing a partition A wall in a building, although the invention is not to be so limited, and the invention also relates to but is not limited to a constructional element for use in stud partitioning in a building.

According to the invention there is provided a constructional element comprising an elongated member defining a first face and an opposite second face, and at least two longitudinally spaced apart spacer elements projecting outwardly from the flrst face to define with the first face a building services accommodating recess.

Preferably, the second face of the elongated member is adapted for receiving a panel element.

In one embodiment of the invention the at least two spacer elements are located adjacent respective opposite ends of the elongated member.

In another embodiment of the invention a plurality of spacer elements project from the first face of the elongated member, and adjacent spacer elements define with the first face of the elongated member respective building services accommodating Preferably, at least one of the spacer elements is adapted for accommodating a fixing element for securing the elongated member to another constructional element or to an adjacent wall, floor or ceiling.

Preferably, each spacer element defines a first abutment face for abutting an adjacent abutment face of a spacer element of an adjacent constructional element or a wall, a floor or a ceiling for spacing the first face of the elongated member from the corresponding constructional element, wall, floor or ceiling, the first abutment face of each spacer element extending parallel to the first face of the elongated member.

Preferably, a first bore extends through at least one of the spacer elements between the first abutment face thereof and the second face of the elongated member for accommodating at fixing element therethrough.

In another embodiment of the invention each abutment face defines a pair of opposite second abutment faces extending parallel to the elongated member for abutting abutment faces of respective adjacent constructional elements.

Advantageously, a second bore extends through at least one of the spacer elements between the second abutment faces thereof for accommodating a fixing element therethrough. in a further embodiment of the invention each spacer element comprises a pair of opposite third abutment faces extending transversely of the elongated member, at least one of the third abutment faces being adapted for engaging an adjacent constructional element. Preferably, one of the third abutment faces defines with the first face of the constructional element and a third abutment face of an adjacent spacer element extending from the first face of the elongated member the or one of the building services accommodating recesses. Advantageously, a third bore extends through at least one of the spacer elements between the opposite third abutment faces for accommodating a fixing element therethrough.

Ideally, each one of the first, second and third bores are counter-bored.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one of the first, second and third abutment faces of at least one of the spacer elements is provided with an alignment means for aligning the abutment face thereof with an abutment face of a spacer element of an adjacent constructional element. Preferably, each alignment means comprises a dowel receiving bore, a Lamello Biscuit or tongue and groove.

The invention also provides a modular system comprising a plurality of the constructional elements adapted to form a partition wall with a plurality of parallel constructional elements joined by transversely extending constructional elements with third abutment faces of the spacer elements of the transverse constructional elements abutting second abutment faces of adjacent spacer elements of the parallel constructional elements.

The invention further provides a modular construction system comprising a plurality of the constructional elements adapted to form a partition wall with the constructional elements arranged in pairs with the first abutment faces of the adjacent spacer lE1oo3etements abutting each other, and at least some of the spacer elements of the respective pairs of constructional elements being secured by respective fixing elements, adjacent spacer elements of the constructional elements of each pair defining with the adjacent first faces of the elongated members of each pair of constructional elements respective ones of the building services accommodating recess .

In one embodiment of the invention a panel element is secured to the second faces of the elongated members of each adjacent pair.

In another embodiment of the invention adjacent pairs of the constructional elements are joined by transversely extending constructional elements.

The invention also provides a studded wall comprising a panel element secured to and spaced apart from the wall by a plurality of the constructional elements spaced apart from each other with the first abutment faces of the spacer elements abutting the wall.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: _F_ig-. 1 is a perspective view of a constructional element according to the invention, » lE.1003.

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the constructional element of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the constructional element of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of the constructional element of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the constructional element of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is an end view of the constructional element of Fig. 1, Fig.» 7 is a perspective view of another constructional element according to the invention, Fig. 8 is another perspective view of the constructional element of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the constructional element of Fig. 7, Fig. 10 is an underneath plan view of the constructional element of Fig. 7, Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the constructional element of Fig. 7, Fig. 12 is an end view of the constructional element of Fig. 7, Figs. 13(a) to (e) is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the constructional eiements of Figs. 1 to 12, lE100348 Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a partition wall constructed from the constructional elements of the modular construction system, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the modular construction system for constructing the partition wall of Fig. 14, Fig. 16 is a cutaway perspective view of a building with studded walls using the constructional elements of the modular construction system of Fig. 1, Fig. 17 is a perspective view of another partition wall constructed from the constructional elements of the modular construction system, and Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a constructional element according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 6, there is illustrated a constructional element according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, of a modular construction system which is aiso according to the invention, and is illustrated in Figs. 14 to 17 where the modular construction system is illustrated for forming partition walls 2 and 60 and studded walls 4. However, before describing the modular construction system, the constructional elements according to the invention of the system will first be described.

The constructional element 1, which is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, comprises an |E1003elongated member 5 defining a first major face 7 and an opposite second major face 8. A pluralityrof spacer elements 10 project from the first major face 7 of the elongated member 5 at spaced apart locations along the elongated member 5.

Adjacent ones of the spacer elements 10 define with the first major face 7 of the elongated member 5 respective building services accommodating recesses 11 for accommodating building services ducts, conduits, pipes and the like through the partition wall 2 or the studded wall 4 as will be described in more detail below. The ‘second major surface 8 of the elongated member 5 is adapted for receiving a panel, such as a wall panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or the like as will be described below. In this embodiment of the invention the constructional element 1 is manufactured from oriented strand board, and typically, is formed by a suitable moulding process. Although needless to say the constructional element may be manufactured by any other suitable process.

Each spacer element 10 defines a first abutment face 12, a pair of second abutment faces 14, and a pair of third abutment faces 15. A first bore 18 extends through each spacer element 10 and the elongated member 5 between the first abutment face 12 of each spacer element 10 and the second face 8 of the elongated member for accommodating a fixing element therethrough, for example, a screw, bolt or the like, for in turn securing the spacer element 10 to another elongated member, a wall, floor, ceiling or the like. A second bore 19 extends through at least some of the spacer elements 10 between the second abutment faces 14 for accommodating a fixing element, for example, a screw, bolt or the like, for in turn securing the spacer element 10 to another elongated member, a wall, floor, ceiling or the like. A third bore 20 extends through some of the spacer elements 10 between the third abutment faces 15 also for accommodating a fixing element, namely, a screw, bolt or the like for securing the constructional element 1 to another constructional element.

Each first, second and third bore 18, 19 and 20 is counter-bored at 21 for receiving a closure cap for concealing the head of a screw, belt or the like in the corresponding one of the first, second and third bores 18, 19 and 20.

An alignment means for facilitating alignment of the constructional element 1 with another constructional element comprises a plurality of alignment bores 23 formed in the first abutment face 12 and in some of the second and third abutment faces 14 and 15 for receiving alignment dowels (not shown) for engaging corresponding alignment bores in an adjacent constructional element for aligning the constructional element 1 with the other constructional element. The alignment means may be provided by any other suitable means, such as Lamello Biscuit, tongue and groove or the like.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 12, there is illustrated a constructional element 30 also according to the invention, which forms a part of the modular constructional system.

The constructional element 30 is substantially similar to the constructional element 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The only difference between the constructional element 30 and the constructional element 1 is that the constructional element 30 is provided with only two spacer elements 10 which arelocated adjacent the respective opposite ends of the elongated member 5.

Turning now to Figs. 14 and 15, a modular constructional system, which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 35, for use in the construction of the partition wail is constructed from the constructional elements 1 and the constructional elements . Each constructional element 1 is secured to a plurality of adjacent constructional elements 30 by the respective spacer elements 10 of the constructional elements 1 and 30. One of the second abutment faces 14 of each spacer element 10 of the constructional element 1 is located abutting a corresponding third abutment face 15 of the adjacent spacer element 10 of the corresponding constructional element 30.

Dowels (not shown) engaged in the corresponding alignment bores 23 of the adjacent spacer elements 10 align the constructionai elements 30 with the constructional elements 1. Fixing elements, for example, screws or bolts through the second bores 14 of the constructional element 1 and the third bores 20 of the spacer elements 10 of the constructional elements 30 secure the constructional elements 1 and the constructional elements 30 together.

When the constructional elements 1 and 30 have been assembled and secured together as illustrated in Fig. 15 to form the modular system 35, the modular system is then erected and batons 37 are secured to the modular system 35 extending parallel to the constructional elements 1. The batons 37 are located adjacent and secured to the first abutment faces 12 of the spacer elements 10 of the constructional elements 1 and 30. Panels 38 of any suitable material and typically, plasterboard are then secured to the modular system 35. The panels 38 are secured to the second faces 8 of the elongated members of the constructional elements 1 and 30 on one side of the modular system 35, and to the batons 37 on the-other side of the modular system 35. Prior to securing the panels 38 to the ’ modularsystem 35, building services, such as pipes 39, for example, water pipes, conduits 40, for example cable carrying conduits 40, and ducts 41, for example, air lE‘l00310 conditioning ducts are located in the buiiding services accommodating recesses 11 of the modular system 35.

Referring now to Fig. 16, each studded wall 4 comprises a wall 50 of masonry wall of a building and a plurality of panels 51, typically of plasterboard, which are secured to and spaced apart from the wall 50 by a plurality of the constructional elements 1.

The first abutment faces 12 of the spacer elements 10 abut the wall 50 and define with the wall 50 and the first major face 7 of the corresponding elongated members 5 the building service accommodating recesses 11 for accommodating buiiding services, such as, for example, pipes, conduits and ducts. The constructional elements 1 are secured to the wall 50 by screws or bolts extending through the first bores 18 of the respective constructional elements 1. While the wall 50 has been described as being of masonry, the wall 50 may be of any suitable material, for example the wall 50 could be formed of timber frame or timber pane! construction or any other type of wall makeup.

Referring now to Fig. 17, there is illustrated an alternative construction of partition wall 60 whereby the constructional elements 1 and the constructional elements 30 are arranged in pairs so that adjacent spacer elements 10 define with the first major faces 7 of the corresponding elongated members 5 building services accommodating recesses 11. Othen/vise, the construction of the partition wall 60 is - substantially similar to that of the partition wall 2.

Referring now to Fig. 18 there is illustrated a constructional element according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral gE1t‘00 311 . The constructional element 80 is substantially similar to the constructional element 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The main difference between the constructional element 80 and the constructional element 1 is that heat insulation material 81 is located between the spacer elements , and beneath the abutment faces 12 of the spacer elements 10. The heat insulating material may be any suitable heat insulation material and typically, would be a wood fibre insulating material, which could easily be cut out to create a bypass for any service if and when required.

Otherwise, the constructional element 80 is similar to the constructional element 1 and its use is likewise similar.

While the constructional elements 1, 30 and 80 have been described for the construction of studded partition walls and studded masonry walls, it is envisaged that the constructional elements 1 and 30 may be used for supporting ceiling panels in order to accommodate building services between the ceiling panel and either rafters of the ceiling or a poured concrete floor of an upper floor which forms the ceiling of a lower floor, and it is also envisaged that the constructional elements 1 and 30 may be used for supporting a floor above a masonry floor or floor of other construction for similarly accommodating building services between the floor and the masonry floor.

While the constructional elements have been described as being of oriented strand board, the constructional elements may be of any other suitable material, whether timber, plastics, and indeed, in certain cases, may be of metal, concrete, such as |E1oo3 I2 reinforced concrete and the like.

While the ceilings, floors and walls to which the constructional elements may be secured, have been described as masonry walls, ceilings and floors, needless to say it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that the constructional elements may be secured and used in conjunction with ceiling walls and floors of any other construction and/or material makeup.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, which may be varied in construction and detail.

F.F. GORMAN 8: CO.