NL2024738B1

NL2024738B1 - Building unit comprising a body member and a coupling fixation member

Info

Publication number: NL2024738B1
Application number: NL2024738A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Tjibbe Beugelink Willem
Original assignee: Leiqo B V
Priority date: 2020-01-23
Filing date: 2020-01-23
Publication date: 2021-09-09
Also published as: WO2021150115A1

Abstract

A building unit (1) comprises a body member (10) having two coupling ends (11, 12) at the position of which the building unit (1) is couplable to a similar building unit (1) in a direction of coupling (c) for the purpose of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units (1), and a coupling fixation member (20) configured to fix a coupling between the building unit (1) and a similar building unit (1) at the position of one coupling end (11, 12) of the building unit. The coupling fixation member (20) extends through the body member (10), wherein at each of the coupling ends (11, 12) of the body member (10), an opening (15, 16) is defined in the body member (10) for allowing the coupling fixation member (20) to pass through, and wherein the respective openings (15, 16) are offset with respect to each other as seen in the direction of coupling (c).

Description

Title: Building unit comprising a body member and a coupling fixation member In the first place, the invention relates to a building unit comprising a body member having two coupling ends at the position of which the building unit is couplable to a similar building unit in a direction of coupling for the purpose of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units.

In the second place, the invention relates to a method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, wherein at least two building units as defined in the opening paragraph are provided, wherein one building unit is put in a coupling position relative to another building unit in the direction of coupling, and wherein the one building unit is coupled to the other building unit in the direction of coupling.

In the third place, the invention relates to a building module that is configured to be used as a part of a building construction, and that comprises at least one building unit as defined in the opening paragraph.

In the fourth place, the invention relates to a method for building a building construction, wherein a number of building modules as defined in the opening paragraph are provided, are put to a coupling position with respect to each other, and are coupled to each other through their building units by performing the method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units as defined in the preceding paragraphs.

The invention is in the field of modular construction. Modular construction methods involve manufacturing a plurality of building modules at another place than an actual building site, then delivering the building modules to the site and putting the building modules in a mutual positioning as desired at the site. In the process, the building modules are placed side-by-side, end-to-end, or stacked, whatever the case may be. The building modules are joined together using inter-connections configured to couple the building modules to each other.

US 6122880 relates to a building module that is built from panels in perpendicular arrangement with respect to each other, which are partly interlocking when being stacked on other building modules, through combinations of stubs and depressions or plug-in sections and plug-in grooves.

DE 10033481 relates to massive building blocks which are provided with stepped interlocking side walls and narrow round vertical channels. For the purpose of locking the building blocks together in the building process, the building blocks are provided with projections and grooves.

It is an objective of the invention to provide a building unit that is configured to be used in a process of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of similar building units.

Such an entirety may serve as a support for other building parts, for example.

In this respect, it is noted that it may be possible for the building unit to be couplable to at least one building part of another type, or for the building unit to be integrated in a larger building module.

In view of the foregoing, the invention provides a building unit comprising a body member having twa coupling ends at the position of which the building unit is couplable to a similar building unit in a direction of coupling for the purpose of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, and a coupling fixation member configured to fix a coupling between the building unit and a similar building unit at the position of one coupling end of the building unit, wherein the coupling fixation member extends through the body member, wherein at each of the coupling ends of the body member, an opening is defined in the body member for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through, and wherein the respective openings are offset with respect to each other as seen in the direction of coupling.

It follows from the foregoing that the building unit according to the invention comprises a coupling fixation member, i.e. a member for fixing/securing a coupling between the building unit and a similar building unit at the position of one coupling end of the building unit.

The building unit is especially suitable for use in situations in which it is not sufficient to couple building units to each other on the basis of a combination of some kind of projection and depression only.

The fact is that a coupling relying on such a combination can be broken when a force aimed at pulling building units apart is exerted in the direction of coupling.

The coupling fixation member functions to prevent such a decoupling effect.

As defined in the foregoing, the coupling fixation member extends through the body member, wherein at each of the coupling ends of the body member, an opening is defined in the body member for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through, and wherein the respective openings are offset with respect to each other as seen in the direction of coupling.

In this configuration, assuming that one building unit is coupled to another building unit, it is possible to manipulate the coupling fixation member of the one building unit at the position of one coupling end of the one building unit for the purpose of establishing engagement of the coupling fixation member on the other building unit at the position of the other coupling end of the one building unit.

Further, when a following building unit is coupled to the one building unit, the coupling fixation member of the one building unit is not in a position of hindering engagement of the coupling fixation member of the following building unit on the one building unit due to the specific positioning of the coupling fixation member between the coupling ends of the building units in the direction of coupling, as defined by the openings in the respective coupling ends.

In practice, assuming a general orientation of the building unit according to the direction of coupling, such that a longitudinal direction of the body member is similar to the direction of coupling, this may imply that the coupling fixation member has an inclined orientation in the body member. On the basis of the specific positioning of the coupling fixation member between the coupling ends of the building units in the direction of coupling, wherein a zigzag-like configuration of coupling fixation members of building units in an entirety composed of a plurality of building units may be obtained, there is no need for having different types of building units.

It is practical if the coupling fixation member is movable with respect to the body member. For example, the coupling fixation member may be designed to fix a coupling between building units on the basis of a screw connection, to which end the coupling fixation member may comprise something like a threaded rod. In such a case, it takes a rotation movement combined with a linear movement of the coupling fixation member to establish the coupling fixation effect.

Advantageously, assuming a movable arrangement of the coupling fixation member in the building unit, the building unit comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupling fixation member to a default position in the body member. Knowing that the coupling fixation member is normally in the default position and not in a functional position, a person may visually inspect whether or not all couplings between adjacent building units in an entirety composed of a plurality of building units are properly fixed, namely by checking the position of the coupling fixation member in the body member of the respective building units.

In this respect, assuming that the coupling fixation member extends through an internal space of the body member, an embodiment of the building unit is feasible in which the body member comprises an inspection opening allowing a view on the coupling fixation member from outside of the body member, wherein it may further be advantageous if the coupling fixation member is provided with at least one visible marking at a position between the coupling ends of the body member.

Assuming that the building unit comprises a biasing mechanism, indeed, it may be practical for the biasing mechanism to comprise a resilient member configured to act on the coupling fixation member and/or to comprise a stop configuration to define the default position of the coupling fixation member in the body member. In respect of the latter option, it is noted that it may be so that the coupling fixation member comprises a rod, wherein the stop configuration comprises a thickened portion of the rod, which is arranged to abut against an internal surface of the body member under the influence of the biasing mechanism acting on the coupling fixation member. In particular, it may be so that the coupling fixation member comprises a threaded rod, wherein the stop configuration comprises a nut screwed on the threaded rod, which is arranged to abut against an internal surface of the body member under the influence of the biasing mechanism acting on the coupling fixation member.

In general, it may be practical if the coupling fixation member comprises a bolt. In such a case, manipulating the coupling fixation member for the purpose of fixing a coupling between building units is done by engaging on the bolt head by means of suitable tool and rotating the bolt about its longitudinal axis, so that a screw connection may be established between the building units.

In an embodiment of the building unit according to the invention, at least in the vicinity of one of the coupling ends of the body member, the body member comprises an insertion piece including a section of a passage that is defined in the body member for guiding the coupling fixation member through the body member. This may especially be useful in case the body member is manufactured from a material that is not very well capable of withstanding local forces such as plastic, wherein the insertion piece may be manufactured from a material of considerably higher constructional strength such as steel, and may be shaped like a block or the like.

In the framework of the invention, the coupling between adjacent building units may be established in any appropriate manner. For example, the building unit according to the invention may be designed such that at one of the coupling ends of the body member, the body member has a recess, wherein at the other of the coupling ends of the body member, the body member has a projecting portion. In such a case, coupling building units to each other requires no more than inserting the projecting portion of one of the building units in the recess of the other of the building units, after which the coupling can be fixed through the fixation member. It may be practical if the projecting portion has a tapered shape.

Besides being couplable to similar building units, the building unit according to the invention may also be couplable to at least one building part of another type. To that end, the building unit may be equipped with at least one engaging member arranged at the body member and defining an engaging position on the building unit. The engaging member may comprise a projection of any suitable type on the body member, or a recess in the body member, for example.

Preferably, the building unit comprises a coupling area arranged at one of the coupling ends of the body member at a position adjacent to the opening for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through at the respective coupling end. In that case, when one building unit is coupled to another building unit, fixation of the coupling between the building units is obtained by manipulating the coupling fixation member of one of the building units such as to engage on the coupling area of the other of the building units. In a practical embodiment of the building unit according to the invention, the coupling area as mentioned includes a space in the body member, which is accessible from outside of the building unit, and further includes a coupling piece of which at least a portion is accommodated inside the space. The coupling piece may comprise an internally threaded cylinder, for example, which is applicable when the coupling fixation member is provided with external thread. If the building unit is designed such that in the direction of coupling, a position of the coupling area is aligned with a position of the opening for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through at the other coupling end of the body member, it is achieved that when similar 5 building units are coupled to each other and the coupling between the building units is fixed on the basis of engagement of the coupling fixation member of one building unit on the coupling area of another building unit, the coupling area of the other building unit is at the right position for interacting with the coupling fixation member. Further, if at one of the coupling ends of the body member, the coupling fixation member has a head portion for allowing a user to manipulate the coupling fixation member, it is appropriate if the coupling area is arranged at the respective one of the coupling ends of the body member.

Besides an individual building unit as defined and described in the foregoing, the invention covers an entirety composed of a plurality of such building units, wherein the coupling fixation member of each of the building units engages on the body member of an adjacent building unit. In case the building units comprise a coupling area, the coupling fixation member of each of the building units is allowed to engage on the body member of the adjacent building unit at the position of the coupling area of the adjacent building unit.

As mentioned earlier, the building unit according to the invention may be integrated in a larger building module. Hence, the invention also relates to a building module that is configured to be used as a part of a building construction, and that comprises at least one building unit as defined and described in the foregoing. In one embodiment, the building module comprises a number of panels which are connected to each other and constitute a panel structure in the building module. Advantageously, in such embodiment, the at least one building unit is fixed to the panel structure. In another embodiment, the building module comprises a massive block-shaped element and at least one building unit extending through the block-shaped element. The number of building units integrated in the building module may be chosen freely in the framework of the invention. In that respect, it is noted that the building module may comprise at least two building units which are spaced apart. This offers the possibility of providing for a double mutual coupling of the building modules and of placing the building modules in a stretching bond if so desired, wherein it is sufficient to have a mutual coupling between the building modules in the direction of coupling of the building units only in view of the fact that mutual coupling of the building modules in a transverse direction is automatically obtained through the staggered arrangement of the building modules.

The building module may be intended for use in a modular building system for erecting walls for the purpose of buildings or other kinds of building structures, for example. In the embodiment in which the building module comprises a number of panels, those panels are mutually connected in such a way that they jointly constitute a panel structure that is structured such as to be capable of absorbing a load in a practical embodiment of the building module. This panel structure has interior spaces which may serve as segments of vertical channels in a wall and/or may be filled with heat-insulating material. Also in case the building module comprises a massive block-shaped element, the building module may be of such a design that one or more channels are present in the block-shaped element. Vertical channels in a wall offer space to cabling for various installations or may enable transport of ventilation air and/or hot air through a wall. The building modules are mutually interlocking and are particularly couplable to each other by means of their building units.

In the case of the building module comprising a panel structure, it is very practical when the panel structure comprises exterior panels of which a main body surface constitutes an exterior surface of the building module, and is also provided with a number of interior panels of which a main body surface extends in the interior of the panel structure. In this way, the panel structure may comprise two exterior panels which are spaced apart and which extend parallel with respect to each other, wherein at least a number of interior panels extend perpendicularly with respect to the exterior panels. Preferably, the building module is designed such that exterior panels of building modules which are coupled to each other extend in alignment to each other and abut against each other.

In particular, the building modules may be provided with recesses/rabbets into which an edge portion of panels of adjacent building modules can be slid. Further, in the context of the invention, assuming that the panel structure of the building module comprises exterior panels and interior panels, as has been described earlier, it may be so that at a side of the building module, the exterior panels extend to a higher level than the interior panels, and that at an opposite side of the building module, the interior panels extend to a higher level than the exterior panels so that the building module is suitable to receive a part of the interior panels of an adjacent building module between the projecting part of the exterior panels.

The building module comprising a panel structure may comprise at least one filler body that extends at least partially in an interior space of the panel structure. As has been noted earlier, such a filler body may have heat-insulating properties. In any case, such a filler body may be provided in the building modules prior to assembling the building modules. The building module may comprise two filler bodies which are located in an open interior space of the panel structure and which are freely accessible from outside of the building module, wherein each of the filler bodies has a stepped surface for abutment against a complementary stepped surface of a freely accessible filler body of a similar building module.

This results in a possibility of coupling the building modules to each other in a building direction through the coupling components, while in a sideward direction, the building modules may abut against each other through stepped surfaces. Depending on the desired application, the surfaces can be easily adapted to sideward mutual abutment of the building modules by providing filler bodies having differently shaped surfaces.

The panel structure of the building module may be shaped in a relatively simple fashion, having only panels which extend parallel and perpendicularly with respect to each other. In many possible applications of the building module, it is desirable that all panels are oriented as uprights in the building module and none of the panels is transversely oriented in respect thereof as girder, because in that way spaces which are accessible along their full length can be realized along the uprights. The panels may be connected to each other without use of connection elements. In a practical embodiment of the building module, the panels may be connected to each other on the basis of tongue and groove connections.

Besides an individual building module as defined and described in the foregoing, the invention covers a building construction comprising a plurality of such building modules which are mutually coupled through their building units.

The invention further relates to a method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, wherein at least two building units as defined and described in the foregoing are provided, wherein one building unit is put in a coupling position relative to another building unit in the direction of coupling, and wherein the one building unit is coupled to the other building unit in the direction of coupling by putting the coupling fixation member of the one building unit to engagement with the body member of the other building unit. In case the building units comprise a coupling area, it is possible to couple the one building unit to the other building unit in the direction of coupling by putting the coupling fixation member of the one building unit to engagement with the body member of the other building unit at the position of the coupling area of the other building unit. In any case, it may be practical if a building unit is put to the coupling position with respect to at least one freely accessible building unit no earlier than when the at least one freely accessible building unit is coupled to at least one posterior building unit.

Still further, the invention further relates to a method for building a building construction, wherein a number of building modules as defined and described in the foregoing are provided, are put to a coupling position with respect to each other, and are coupled to each other through their building units by performing the method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units as defined and described in the preceding paragraph. According to the method, in conformity with what has been noted in the foregoing, the building modules can be placed in a stretching bond.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a building unit comprising a body member having two coupling ends at the position of which the building unit is couplable to a similar building unit in a direction of coupling for the purpose of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, and a coupling fixation member configured to fix a coupling between the building unit and a similar building unit at the position of one coupling end of the building unit, wherein the coupling fixation member extends through the body member, wherein at each of the coupling ends of the body member, an opening is defined in the body member for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through, wherein the coupling fixation member is movable with respect to the body member, and wherein the building unit further comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupling fixation member to a default position in the body member. As explained in the foregoing, biasing the coupling fixation member involves the advantageous possibility of allowing for a visual inspection of the position of the coupling fixation member, on the basis of which it can be checked whether or not all couplings between adjacent building units in an entirety composed of a plurality of building units are properly secured. The various aptions as defined and described in the foregoing with respect to the nature of the biasing mechanism are equally applicable. Further, all other information about the building unit and the possible application thereof in a larger building module as defined and described in the foregoing is equally applicable.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the following description of a number of embodiments of a building unit and a building module incorporating a number of building units, which building module can be used for the purpose of building a building construction such as a planar wall, wherein reference will be made to the drawing, in which similar reference numerals indicate similar or comparable components, and in which: Figures 1 and 2 diagrammatically show a perspective view of a building unit according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein figure 2 shows the building unit in a transparent representation, Figures 3 and 4 diagrammatically show a perspective view of the building unit, with an insertion piece removed, wherein figure 4 shows the building unit in a transparent representation, Figures 5 and 6 diagrammatically show an entirety composed of two building units, wherein figure 6 shows the building units in a transparent representation, Figure 7 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building unit according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a transparent representation, Figure 8 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building module according to an embodiment of the invention, including four building units, in a transparent representation, Figures 9 and 10 diagrammatically show two different perspective views of the building module, Figure 11 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of three building modules coupled to each other in a stretching bond,

Figure 12 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of three building modules according to an alternative embodiment of the invention coupled to each other in a stretching bond, Figure 13 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building unit according to a third embodiment of the invention, in a transparent representation, Figure 14 diagrammatically shows a number of components of the building unit, in an assembled condition, Figure 15 diagrammatically shows an entirety composed of two building units, in a transparent representation, Figures 16 and 17 diagrammatically show perspective views of a building module according to another embodiment of the invention, including four building units, Figure 18 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building module according to yet another embodiment of the invention, in a transparent representation, and Figure 19 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of three building modules coupled to each other in a stretching bond.

Figures 1-6 relate to a practical example of a building unit 1 according to the invention. The building unit 1 is intended to be used as a part of an entirety 2 of similar building units. In this respect, figures 5 and 6 show an entirety 2 composed of two building units 1, in which the two building units 1 are coupled to each other in a way as will be elucidated in the following. The entirety 2 composed of two or more building units 1 is suitable to be used as a horizontal or vertical supporting beam in a building construction 5, for example. Other feasible applications of such an entirety 2 include applications in furniture. The building unit 1 comprises a body member 10 that is of a generally elongated shape. The body member has two coupling ends 11, 12 at the position of which the building unit 1 is couplable to a similar building unit 1 in a direction of coupling that is indicated by means of a double-headed arrow c in figures 1-6. In the shown example, the direction of coupling corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the body member 10. At one of the coupling ends 11, 12, the body member 10 has a recess 13, and at another of the coupling ends 11, 12, the body member 10 has a projection 14. Also, in the shown example, the projection is tapered 14 so that the projection 14 can easily be received in the recess 13 of another building unit 1 in case such other building unit 1 is to be coupled to the building unit 1 at the side where the projection 14 is present. In the following, for the sake of clarity, the coupling end 11 where the recess 13 is present will be referred to as recess coupling end 11, and the coupling end 12 where the projection 14 is present will be referred to as projection coupling end 12. When the projection 14 of one building unit 1 is received in the recess 13 of another building unit 1, the entirety 2 that is constituted in that way is capable of withstanding forces without the building units 1 decoupling, especially forces perpendicular to the direction of coupling c. However, decoupling of the building units 1 is not totally avoided and might still occur if forces are exerted in the direction of coupling ¢ or in a direction close to the direction of coupling ¢, involving an effect of pulling the building units 1 apart. In view thereof, the invention provides a way of fixing the coupling between building units 1, namely by means of a coupling fixation member 20 that is included in every building unit 1. The coupling fixation member 20 is arranged so as to extend through the body member 10, from the recess coupling end 11 to the projection coupling end 12, wherein an opening 15 for allowing the coupling fixation member 20 to pass is defined at the recess coupling end 11, and wherein also an opening 16 for allowing the coupling fixation member 20 to pass is defined at the projection coupling end 12. In the following, the respective openings 15, 16 will be referred to as passage openings 15, 16. In the shown example, the coupling fixation member 20 comprises a bolt. Also, in the shown example, the body member 10 is provided with a passage 17 for guiding the coupling fixation member 20 through the body member 10, as can be seen in the transparent representations of the building unit 1.

The respective passage openings 15, 16 are located at different positions as seen in the direction of coupling c, i.e. are offset (not aligned) with respect to each other in the direction as mentioned. Consequently, the passage 17 and the coupling fixation member 20 extending therethrough have an inclined orientation in the body member 10. Further, for the purpose allowing a coupling fixation member 20 of one building unit 1 to engage on the body member 10 of another building unit 1, the building unit 1 is provided with a coupling area 21 that is arranged at the projection coupling end 12, at a position adjacent to the passage opening 18. The coupling area 21 and the passage opening 15 at the recess coupling end 11 are aligned so that when two building units 1 are coupled to each other, the coupling area 21 at the projection coupling end 12 of one of the building units 1 is directly faced by the coupling fixation member 20 from the recess coupling end 11 of another of the building units 1, at the coupling interface. In the shown example, the coupling area 21 provides access to a cylindrical coupling piece 22 that is provided with internal screw thread and that is accommodated inside a space in the body member 10.

Allin all, the design of the building unit 1 is adapted to allow assembly of a number of building units 1 to an entirety 2 in an easy manner. In the first place, all that a person handling the building units 1 has to do is to take two building units 1 and couple the building unit 1 to each other in a coupling direction, such that the projection 14 of one of the building units 1, which will hereinafter be referred to as first building unit 1, is received in the recess 13 of another of the building units 1, which will hereinafter be referred to as second building unit 1. Subsequently, for the purpose of fixing the coupling between the building units 1, the person is supposed to manipulate the coupling fixation member 20 of the second building unit 1 at the position of the projection coupling end 12 of the second building unit 1 by means of a suitable tool such as a screw driver, in order to move the coupling fixation member 20 of the second building unit 1 into engagement with the coupling area 21 of the first building unit

1. Due to the aligned positioning of the passage opening 16 at the recess coupling end 11 of the second building unit 1 and the coupling area 21 at the projection coupling end 12 of the first building unit 1, the engagement between the coupling fixation member 20 of the second building unit 1 and the coupling area 21 of the first building unit 1 is automatically established as the coupling fixation member 20 is made to advance in a direction from the second building unit 1 to the first building unit 1.

As soon as the coupling between the first building unit 1 and the second building unit 1 has been secured on the basis of an engagement between the coupling fixation member 20 of the second building unit 1 and the coupling area 21 of the first building unit 1, a third building unit 1 can be provided and coupled in a secured fashion to the second building unit 1 in the same manner as has been described in the foregoing in respect of the assembling process of the first building unit 1 and the second building unit 1. The process of providing a further building unit 1 and coupling such building unit 1 to an entirety 2 composed of a plurality of building units 1 in a secured fashion can be repeated until a desired length of the entirety 2 has been reached.

The building unit 1 can be made of any suitable material or combination of materials.

For example, the body member 10 may be made of plastic, while the coupling fixation member 20 and the coupling piece 22 may be made of steel. In order to ensure sufficient strength of the body member 10 at positions of guiding the coupling fixation member 20, it may be practical if at least in the vicinity of one of the coupling ends 11, 12 of the body member 10, the body member 10 comprises an insertion piece 18 including a section 17a of the passage 17 that is defined in the body member 10 for guiding the coupling fixation member 20 through the body member 10, and also the coupling piece 22. Such an insertion piece 18 may be made of steel or the like, and it may be advantageous to have the insertion piece 18 at least at the side where the coupling fixation member 20 is manipulated, i.e. the side of the projection coupling end 12 in the shown example.

For the purpose of facilitating connection between the building unit 1 and at least one other building part, the building unit 1 may be equipped with one or more engaging members defining engaging positions on the building unit 1. In the shown example, the building unit 1 comprises four engaging members 23 in the form of recesses. The recesses may be provided with internal screw thread or may be otherwise designed to facilitate engagement on elements suitable to be received in the recesses.

In an advantageous alternative embodiment, the building unit 1 comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupling fixation member 20 to a default position in the body member 10. For example, a resilient member such as a spring may be arranged in the insertion piece 18 to act on the coupling fixation member 20 so as to bias the coupling fixation member 20 in a direction from the recess coupling end 11 of the body member 10 towards the projection coupling end 12, i.e. in a direction opposite to a direction in which the coupling fixation member 20 is to be moved for engaging on the body member 10 of another building unit 1.

Biasing the coupling fixation member 20 to a default position which is not the functional position for fixing a coupling between two building units 1 allows for visually inspecting whether or not all couplings between adjacent building units 1 in an entirety 2 composed of a plurality of building units 1 are properly secured. In this respect, it is noted that it is practical if the coupling fixation member 20 is provided with some kind of marking at a suitable position, and that such a marking may automatically be present on the coupling fixation member 20 if a stop member is present on the coupling fixation member, for example. In such a case, the stop member has two functions, namely a function of defining the default position of the coupling fixation member 20 in the body member 10 by delimiting the movement of the coupling fixation member 20 in the direction of the projection coupling end 12 of the body member 10 under the influence of the biasing mechanism, and a function of constituting a visible marking on the coupling fixation member 20. If the stop member abuts against an internal surface of the body member 10, it is to be concluded that the coupling fixation member 20 is in the default position, whereas if the stop member is at a distance of the internal surface of the body member 10, it is to be concluded that the coupling fixation member 20 is in the functional position.

Figure 7 serves to illustrate a building unit 3 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which will hereinafter be referred to as twofold building unit 3. In fact, this building unit 3 is an integral combination of two building units 1 as described in the foregoing with reference to figures 1-6, in which the building units 1 extend at some distance with respect to each other while being oriented in a similar manner. Hence, the twofold building unit 3 has two recesses 13 at one side thereof, and two projections 14 at an opposite side thereof. Further, in the shown example, the one building unit 1 is rotated a half turn with respect to the other building unit 1, so that the inclined orientation of the passage 17 and the coupling fixation member 20 extending therethrough of the one building unit 1 is under a first angle with respect to the direction of coupling c of the building unit and the inclined orientation of the passage 17 and the coupling fixation member 20 extending therethrough of the other building unit 1 is under a second angle with respect to the direction of coupling c of the building unit 1, wherein the second angle is of the same size of the first angle, and wherein if one of the angles is denoted as positive with respect to the direction of coupling ¢, the other of the angles is denoted as negative with respect to the direction of coupling Cc.

Figures 8-10 show a practical example of a building module 4 according to the invention, wherein the building module 4 comprises four building units 1 for coupling the building module 4 in a secured fashion to other building modules 4, as illustrated in figure 11. The building module 4 as shown comprises two exterior panels 41, 42 which will hereinafter be referred to as front panel 41 and back panel 42, respectively. In the shown example, the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 extend parallel with respect to each other, and are generally realized as a planar plate of rectangular shape. Freely accessible main body surfaces of the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 constitute exterior surfaces of the building module 4, and, in a building construction 5 including a number of building modules 4, are part of composed exterior surfaces of the construction 5, as can be seen in figure 11. The shown building module 4 further comprises two pairs of connecting panels 43 which are positioned between the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 at a distance from each other. In the shown example, the connecting panels 43 are generally realized as planar plates and extend perpendicularly to the front panel 41 and the back panel 42.

On the basis of the above-described configuration of the front panel 41, the back panel 42 and the connecting panels 43, a panel structure 40 having interior spaces is realized in the building module 4. In the framework of the invention, the way in which connections between the panels 41, 42, 43 are realized can be chosen freely. For instance, it is possible to apply a connection with rabbets in one panel for receiving an edge portion of another panel, to glue the panels to each other and/or to apply connection elements such as screws or nails. According to another option in respect of the panel structure 40, the panel structure 40 is shaped as one integral entirety, for example, by means of pressing, blanking or extruding. The panel structure 40 may be made of any possible suitable material or any possible suitable combination of materials. An option of having the panel structure 40 as a single integral entirety in carbon composite may for example be chosen in order to realize a high constructional loading capacity.

In figures 8-11, it can be seen that in the shown example, the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 have a staggered positioning with respect to the connecting panels 43, as a result of which the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 project with respect to the connecting panels 43 at one side of the building module 4, and as a result of which, at an opposite side of the building module 4, the connecting panels 43 project with respect to the front panel 41 and the back panel 42. This facilitates putting two building modules 4 in a coupling position with respect to each other, as in that case it is a matter of sliding the projecting portions of the connecting panels 43 of a second building module 4 between the projecting portions of the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 of a first building module 4. Thus, the design of the building module 4 with said staggered positioning of the front panel

41 and the back panel 42 with respect to the connecting panels 43 is aimed at guaranteeing a proper mutual interlocking of the building modules 4. For the purpose of further realizing mutual coupling of the building modules 4 and securing the mutual coupling, the building module 4 is provided with the four building units 1 as mentioned, which are to be coupled to building units 1 of other building modules 4. Hence, in a building construction 5 comprising a plurality of building modules 4, various entireties 2 composed of a plurality of building units 1 are present. It is at the position of those entireties 2 that the building modules 4 are coupled to each other in a secured fashion. In view of the fact that the coupling fixation member 20 of the respective building units 1 can be operated at a position between the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 that is freely accessible when the building construction 5 is made, both the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 can remain intact and especially do no need to be provided with an opening or the like, which offers the advantage that the building construction 5 does not necessarily need to be provided with a finishing layer in order to have a smooth appearance.

Depending on the desired application of the building modules 4, it may be beneficial when the building modules 4 are provided with filler bodies of heat-insulating material. Such filler bodies may be located in one or more of the interior spaces of the panel structure 40. In the shown example, the building module 4 comprises such filler bodies 44 at five different places, namely in a space between the connecting panels 43 of the two pairs of connecting panels 43, in a central space of the building module 4 between the two pairs of connecting panels 43, and in a space at the other side of the two pairs of connecting panels 43. In the space between the connecting panels 43 of the two pairs of connecting panels 43, two filler bodies 44 are present, which filler bodies 44 are arranged so as to extend at a distance with respect to each other so that not all of the space is occupied by the filler bodies 44.

In the shown example, the filler bodies 44 which are located at the other side of the two pairs of connecting panels 43 than the central space of the building module 4 are realized in a stepped fashion in order to enable abutment of the building module 4 against an adjacent building module 4 at those sides in a defined manner, wherein the stepped surface 45 of the filler body 44 of the one building module 4 is fittingly placed against the stepped surface 45 of the filler body 44 of the other building module 4.

On the basis of the foregoing, it may be concluded that a high extent of flexibility in making building constructions 5 by using the building modules 4 is obtained. The exact realization of the building module 4 according to the invention can easily be adapted to the requirements of a building construction 5. Dimensions of the interior spaces of the panel structure 40 may be varied by choosing another mutual positioning of panels and adapting the design of the panels. According to desire, filler bodies 44 may or may not be fitted into the panel structure 40, by means of which heat-insulating properties may be attributed to the building modules 4, for example. In this respect, it is noted that figure 12 illustrates the use of building modules 8 which are without filler bodies 44. Cabling or the like may easily be putin place through interior open spaces of the building modules 4, 6, wherein it is noted that the interior spaces of building modules 4, 6 which are coupled and secured to each other are arranged to extend in alignment to each other and constitute continuous channels in a building construction 5 on the basis thereof. There is no need for additional attachment means for the purpose of realizing the required secured couplings between building modules 4, 6. The safety is guaranteed to a significant extent as a possibility to inspect whether or not the coupling is secured is provided when the coupling fixation member 20 of the respective building units 1 of the building modules 4 is provided with an appropriate marking and/or has a clearly recognizable portion. A building construction 5 or a portion thereof can be pulled down again if so desired, wherein couplings between the building units 1 of mutually coupled building modules 4, 6 can be made undone in such a case, so that the building modules 4, 6 can easily be removed from each other and can be destined for another application if so desired.

Figure 13 serves to illustrate a building unit 7 according to a third embodiment of the invention, which will hereinafter be referred to as panel building unit 7. When the panel building unit 7 is compared to the building unit 1 shown in figures 1-6, it is found that the panel building unit 7 has a panel-shaped body member 10. In view thereof, the panel building unit 7 can easily be incorporated in a building module 8, as illustrated in figures 16 and 17. For example, the panel structure 40 of the building module 8 can be composed of a front panel 41, a back panel 42 and a number of building units 7 arranged between the front panel 41 and the back panel 42, wherein there is no need for another type of panel. For the purpose of facilitating the process of coupling one building unit 7 to another, the building unit 7 is provided with a pair of projecting pins 14 at one side thereof and a pair of corresponding recesses 13 at another side thereof.

Figure 14 shows an assembly of components of the building unit 7, including a coupling fixation member 20, a stop member 24 on the coupling fixation member 20, and a spring 25 arranged between a head portion 26 of the coupling fixation member 20 and the stop member 24. The stop member 24 may be provided as an integral part of the coupling fixation member 20, but this is not essential in the framework of the invention. In the effective position of the coupling fixation member 20, the stop member 24 and the spring 25 in the body member 10, the head portion 26 of the coupling fixation member 20 is located at the position of the recess coupling end 11 of the body member 10, and the spring 25 extends between the head portion 26 and a first supporting area 31 in the body member 10, which supporting area may be realized by having a step in the passage 17. In this configuration, the spring 25 acts to maintain a position of the coupling fixation member 20 in the body member

10 in which the stop member 24 is at the position of a second supporting area 32. Only when the building unit 7 is coupled to another building unit 7 and the coupling fixation member 20 has been put to engagement on that other building unit 7, the spring 25 is kept in a compressed condition and the stop member 24 is at a position that is at a distance from the second supporting area 32. It can easily be inspected from the side of the recess coupling end 11 if the coupling fixation member 20 is in engagement to another building unit 7, because if that is the case, the head portion 26 of the coupling fixation member 20 is at a deeper level inside the passage 17 than if that is not the case. In this respect, it is noted that figure 15 shows an entirety 2 composed of two building units 7, wherein the coupling fixation member 20 of a building unit 7 shown at a higher position in figure 15 is in the position of being in engagement to another building unit 7, namely a building unit 7 shown at a lower position in figure 15, and wherein the coupling fixation member 20 of the latter building unit 7 is in a default position. Figure 18 illustrates an option of having a building module 9 that comprises a massive block-like element 91 and at least one building unit 1 extending through the block- like element 91. The number of building units 1 can be chosen freely and in relation to size and shape of the building module 9. In the shown example, the building module 9 comprises two pairs of building units 1 extending through the block-shaped element 91 at a distance from each other, wherein a channel 92 is present between the building units 1 of each of the pairs. In general, the building module 9 may be provided with one or more channels, or without any channels. Further, the block-shaped element 91 may be of any appropriate design and may comprise any suitable material, such as aerated concrete. Figure 18 shows three of the building modules 3, in a configuration of being coupled to each other in a stretching bond.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. For the sake if completeness, it is noted that terms like “parallel” and “perpendicular(ly)” are to be understood for their practical meaning in which a certain extent of deviation from the theoretical meaning is implicit.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A building unit (1, 3, 7) comprising: a body component (10) with two coupling ends {11, 12) to which the building unit (1, 3, 7) in a coupling direction (c} with a similar building unit (1, 3, 7) is connectable to assemble an assembly (2) composed of a plurality of building units (1, 3, 7) and a coupling-fixing component (20) configured to provide a coupling between the building unit (1 , 3, 7) and a similar construction unit (1, 3, 7) at the level of one coupling end (11, 12) of the construction unit (1, 3, 7), wherein the coupling-fixing component (20) extends through the body component (10) extends outwardly, wherein at each of the coupling ends (11, 12) of the body component (10) an opening (15, 16) is defined in the body component (10) to permit passage of the coupling fixing component (20 }, and wherein the respective openings (15, 16) viewed in the coupling direction (c) are not in line.

Building unit (1, 3, 7) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling fixing component (20) is movable relative to the body component (10).

The building unit (1, 3, 7) of claim 2, comprising a biasing mechanism (15) configured to bias the clutch-fixing component (20) to a default position in the body component (10).

The building unit (1, 3, 7) of claim 3, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a resilient component configured to act on the clutch-fixing component.

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a stop arrangement (24) to define the default position of the coupling fixing component (20) in the body component (10).

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to claim 5, wherein the coupling-fixing component (20) comprises a rod, and wherein the stop arrangement (24) comprises a thickened portion of the rod arranged to act under the influence of the biasing mechanism ( 15) acting on the coupling fixing component (20) to abut against an inner surface (32} of the body component (10).

The building unit (1, 3, 7) of claim 5, wherein the coupling fixing component (20) comprises a threaded rod, and wherein the stop arrangement (24) comprises a nut screwed onto the threaded rod, and which is arranged to abut an inner surface (32) of the body component (10) under the influence of the biasing mechanism (15) acting on the clutch-fixing component (20).

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 2-7, wherein the coupling fixing component (20) is provided with at least one visible marking at a position between the coupling ends (11, 12) of the body component (10).

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the coupling fixing component (20) comprises a bolt.

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the body component (10) has an insert (18) at least in the vicinity of one of the coupling ends (11, 12) of the body component (10) ) including a section (17a) of a passage (17) defined in the body component (10) for guiding the coupling-fixing component (20) through the body component (10).

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the body component (10) has a recess (13) at one of its coupling ends (11, 12), and wherein the body component (10 ) has a protruding portion (14) on the other of its coupling ends (11, 12).

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 1-11, comprising at least one engagement component (23) mounted on the body component (10) and an engagement position on the building unit (1, 3, 7) defines.

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising a coupling region (21) arranged on one of the coupling ends (11, 12) of the body component (10), at a position adjacent the opening (15, 16) allowing passage of the coupling fixing component (20) at the respective coupling end (11, 12).

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to claim 13, wherein the coupling region (21) comprises a cavity in the body component (10) accessible from outside the building unit (1, 3, 7) and further a coupling piece (22) of which at least a portion is contained within the cavity.

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to claim 14, wherein the coupling piece (22) comprises an internally threaded cylinder.

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a position of the coupling region (21) in the coupling direction (c) is aligned with a position of the opening (15, 16) on the other coupling end (11, 12) of the body component (10) allows passage of the coupling fixing component (20).

A building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 13-18, wherein the coupling fixing component (20) has a head portion (26) on one of the coupling ends (11, 12) of the body component (10). which allows a user to manipulate the coupling fixing component (20), and wherein the coupling region (21) is provided at the respective coupling end (11, 12) of the body component (10).

An assembly (2) constructed from a plurality of building units (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein the coupling fixing component (20) of each of the building units (1, 3, 7) is mounted on engages the body component (10) of an adjacent building unit (1,3,7).

An assembly (2) according to claim 18 insofar as it is dependent on any one of claims 13-17, wherein the coupling fixing component (20) of each of the building units (1, 3, 7) at the level of the coupling region (21} of an adjacent building unit (1, 3, 7) engages on the body component (10) of the adjacent building unit (1, 3, 7).

A building module (4, 6, 8) configured to be used as part of a building structure (5) and comprising a plurality of panels (41, 42, 43) joined together and a panel structure (40) and also at least one building unit (1, 3, 7) according to any one of claims 1-17.

A building module (4, 6, 8) according to claim 20, wherein the at least one building unit (1, 3, 7) is fixed to the panel structure (40).

A building module (9) configured to be used as part of a building structure (5) and comprising a solid block-shaped element (981) and also at least one building unit (1, 3, 7) according to a of claims 1-17 extending through the block-shaped element (91).

A building module (4, 8, 8, 9) according to any one of claims 20-22, comprising at least two building units (1, 3, 7) which are spaced apart from each other.

A building structure (5), comprising a plurality of building modules (4, 6, 8, 9) according to any one of claims 20-23, which are mutually coupled by their building units (1, 3, 7).

A method for assembling a whole (2) made up of a plurality of building units (1, 3, 7) wherein at least two building units (1, 3, 7) are provided according to any one of claims 1-17 one building unit (1, 3, 7) in the coupling direction (c) is brought into a coupling position with respect to another building unit (1, 3, 7) and one building unit (1, 3, 7) in the coupling direction (c) is coupled to the other building unit (1, 3, 7) by the coupling fixing component (20) of the one building unit (1, 3, 7) engaged with the body component (10) of the other building unit ( 1, 3, 7).

A method according to claim 15 insofar as it depends on any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the one building unit (1, 3, 7) is coupled to the other building unit (1, 3, 7) in the coupling direction (c) by the coupling fixing component (20) of one building unit (1, 3, 7) at the level of the coupling region (21) of the other building unit (1, 3, 7) in engagement with the body component (10) of the other building unit (1, 3, 7).

A method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein a building unit (1, 3, 7) no earlier than that at least one freely accessible building unit (1, 3, 7) is attached to at least one preceding building unit (1, 3, 7). ) is coupled to the coupling position relative to the at least one freely accessible building unit (1, 3, 7).

A method of building a building structure (5), wherein a plurality of building modules (4, 6, 8, 9) according to any one of claims 20-23 are provided, brought into a coupling position with respect to each other, and coupled together by their building units (1, 3, 7) by the method according to any one of claims 25 to 27 for assembling a whole (2) made up of a plurality of building units (1, 3, 7) is to be performed.