US2309149A - Building - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 26, 1943. l s M woQD ET AL 2,309,149

BUILDING v Filed Maron 29, 1,941 5 sheets-sheet 1 y /IJVENTORS ATTORNEY.

Jan. 26, 1943. s. M. wooD Erm.

BUILDING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1941 INVENTORJ ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 26, 1943. s. M. wooD ETAL BUILDING Filed 'March 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS ATTORNEY),

Jan. 26, 1943. s. M. wooD ETAL y 2.309.149

BUILDING Filed March 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 26, 1943. s. M. wooD ETAL 2,309,149

BUILDING Filed March 29. 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A T7' ORA/E545.

Paienied Jan. ze, 1943 BUILDING Sydney M. Wood, Lake Bluff, and

James Roe, Chicago, Ill.

Application Match 29, 1941, Serial No. 385,804

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the art of fabricating buildings or the like.

While the present invention has broad applicability to the fabrication of various conventionaly structures such as houses, garages, and factories, it is' a particular object to provide a building construction capable of withstanding to 'a maximum extent the rigors of modern warfare.

The invention is therefore particularly suited for use in constructing air raid shelters, light forts, pillboxes. and ordnance and munition buildings.

In connection with this type of use, while it is not possible to devise a. construction which will withstand all direct bomb hits, nevertheless such direct hits are relatively rare and a great majority of damage from bombs affects structures which are near to or in the general region ofthe explosion. Such damage results from the excessive pressures in one direction created by the explosion itself, and from forces acting in a reverse direction immediately after the explosion when the air rushes in to iill the void or vacuum caused by the explosion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a building construction of preformed, interiitting elements capable of withstanding said abnormal and excessive pressure conditions ceated by nearby bomb explosions, and also capable of withstanding glancing hits and hits from shrapnel, the said resistance of the improved construction being due to a combination of features including stress lugs, stress bolts, and a novel corner interlock resistant to stresses from all directions and adapted to distribute such stresses to a plurality of units to minimize the strain which might otherwise have to be borne by a single unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction as above described wherein the corner interlock is free of exterior projections.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby a. building may be fabricated from preformed units of concrete or the like in a few hours' time, the units being equipped with interlocking features which permit the use of inexperienced labor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a building construction fabricated from interlocking and cooperating units, which construction permits quick disassembly of the units and transportation to a new location for further use; the invention is thus well adapted for use in connection with modernl warfare.

A further object of the invention is vto provide in a building construction, novel footing units having joints designed to equalize stresses on the units.

Other objects of the invention are to provide in a building construction means for preventing the entrance of poison gas between the assembled units; means adapted toaid in the support of sandbags or the like on the roof; and means spaced upwardly above the roof for receiving the main force of direct hits to thereby protect the roof proper.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improvements in the art of fabricating buildings, or the like, and all its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims,

and all equivalents thereof. In the accompanyy ing drawings, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views,

Fig, 1 is a perspective view Vof an air raid shelter;

Fig. 2 is a top view of one of the wall elements;

Fig. 3 is a side view of said element;

Fig. 4 is a side view of a different wall element, where the dimensions of the building are such that the element can extend from one corner to the other;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view of a starting wall element having increased width;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the wall elements, showing the formation at the end of said element for use in the novel corner interlock;

Fig. 8 is a side view of a special finishing wall element of increased thickness having only one end adapted for use at a corner;

Fig. 9 is a. side view of a similar element having both ends adapted for use at corners;

Fig. 10 is an end view of an interior crossbeam for use in forming partitions within a building;

Fig. 11 is a side view of said beamshowing the method of interlocking its ends with a wall member of the type shown in Figs. 12 and 13;

Fig. 12 is a top view of a stretcher wall element;

Fig. 13 is a side view of said element;

Fig. 14 is a top view of one of the footing members;

Fig. 15 is a front elevational ing member;

Fig. 16 is an end view ofthe footing member;

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view through view of said footone of the footing members showing wall ele-n ments and a iioor unit assembled thereon;

Fig. 18 is an elevational view of one of the inner roof units;

Fig. 19 is a side view of a gable filler unit;

Fig. 20 is an end view of a. building structure, part being broken away;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2|-2I of Fig. 20 showing details of the roof assembly;

Fig. 22 is a. horizontal sectional view through a building showing the footing units, wall umts assembled thereon, partition beams, and floor units, parts being broken away;

Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of a building utilizing the improved construction, parts being broken away;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view looking from the interior of a building incorporating the improved construction;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary perspective View showing a number of assembled wall units to illustrate a slightly modified form of corner interlock;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of the group of elements shown in Fig. 25; and

Fig. 2'1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the group of elements of Fig. 26.

In carrying out the present invention there are a limited number of elements or units which are necesssary in the formation of a building, and by having a supply of these elements various different buildings may be erected. It is also possible to quickly disassemble any of the structures and to use the units either in the same location for building a different structure, or in a different location for erecting any desired type of building. The standard units are all preferably formed of cast reinforced concrete, but for some purposes other materials are obviously suitable.

Wall elements Referring to Fig. 1, illustrating one type of air raid shelter, a, long side wall consists of tiers of wall elements, each tier comprising an element 30 (Fig. 2) at each end and an element 3l (Fig. 12) in between the two elements 30. The element 30 has one end specially formed as at 32 to cooperate with similar elements in providing an unusual form of corner interlock particularly adapted for use in resisting strains in all directions, such as the elements of an air raid shelter might be subjected to. The other end of the element 30 has a dovetail projection 33 for cooperation with the dovetail recess 34 of the element 3l. The other end of the element 3l may be equipped with a dovetail projection for cooperation with a second element 30. The second element 30, however, differs from the element of Fig. 2 in that in lieu of the dovetail projection 33 it must have a dovetail recess like the recess 34 of Fig. 12. v

'Iiers of the elements thus arranged are built up to desired height, and if a door is desired such as the door 35', certain of the wall forming elements must be of special length to cooperate in leaving a suitable opening.

In cross-sectional view all of the wall forming elements are like or similar to the showing of Fig. 6. In this figure it may be seen that from the top of each element are spaced stress distributing lugs 36 for cooperation with similarly shaped recesses 36 in the bottom of an element thereabove. Also on the top of each element Cal are spaced elongated tongues 31 (see also Fig. 2) 75 having upwardly converging sides 3B. These tongues are received in elongated grooves 31' formed on the lower side of an element thereabove. Where the construction is desired for war-time use soft mastic strips 39 may be employed on top of the tongues 31. These strips may be formed of any material which is inexpensive, compressible, and mastic, such as rubber or rubber compositions, asphalt, or asphalt treated fabric. The use of strips of this type form a seal extending throughout the major portion of the length of each element to prevent gas from entering between the elements, because when one unit is placed on top of' another the weight of the unit above compresses the mastic material, making a gas-tight seal. Also entering into the combination for producing an ef1 fective seal between the elements are stress distributing bolts 4I (see Figs. 20 and 23) which extend through suitably located openings 42 in the wall elements, and which may continue to the top of a side wall as in Fig. 23, or to the roof as in Fig. 20. The lower ends of these bolts are suitably anchored in a manner to be hereinafter explained, and the upper ends may be provided with nuts 43 which may be tightened to further compress the mastic material and aid in perfecting the seal.

Where the building is to be semi-permanent in character, wire ties may be cast into the sides of the elements to facilitate the attachment oi furring strips. This, therefore, makes it possible to apply plaster if desired.

Where a wall of a building is of limited length, a single element 44 (see Fig. 4) may be employed to extend the entire length of the wall. In such case both ends of the element are provided with means for effecting a corner interlock, as indicated at 32 in Fig. 4.

Inasmuch as two of the elements when interlocked at the corners by the means 32 are in offset horizontal planes, it is necessary when start ing a building to use as a starting element on one wall, an element of special thickness such as the .element 45 of Fig. 5. The extra material at a in said element will extend downwardly to meet the footings and prevent a gap which would otherwise occur, The use of these elements 45 of special thickness on the end walls is indicated in Figs. 1 and 20. Similarly, at the top of the wall a special condition arises necessitating the use of a special finishing element 46 or 41 (Figs. 8 and 9). These elements 46 or 41 have the extra thickness at b so that the top of the wall in which they are employed will be ush with the top of a wall at right angles thereto.

Corner interlock The novel corner interlock which is of such importance in the present invention effectively interlocks a. plurality of elements so that the sresses upon any one element are distributed to other adjacent elements. The corner is also arranged so that there are no projecting ends.

Referring first to Figs. 2, 3, and 7, the upper surface has a transverse notch or recess 48 therein adjacent an end. The recess 48 extends at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the element. The recess 48 is preferably tapered downwardly in width, as is clear from Fig. 3, and the bottom of the recess terminates at 49, approximately midway of the thickness of the element. Intermediate the length of the recess or notch 48 is a projection 50 having upwardly tapering sides t i. This projection extends transversely of ascenso the vrecess il and substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the element. The top of the projection Il terminates short of the top surface of the element, as is clear from Figs. 3 and 7.

The lower side of the element adjacent the end is shaped to provide 'a tongue l2 which extends in the direction of theiongitudinal axis of the element and at right angles to the direction of extent of the recess or notch Il. The inw l2 is complemental in shape tothe recess and has its lower side formed intermediate the length of said tongue. with a recess I3 which is complemental in shape to the projection Il.

A modified form of corner interlock is'illustrated in Figs. 25 26, and 27, wherein the elements 30 have end portions of increased width as at 54 with angular surfaces I4' leading to said portions of increased width, which, as shown in Fig. 26, form an interior reinforcing web at the corner. 'Ihe only other difference in the construclion of Fig. 25 and the construction of Fig. 7 resides in the length of the interlocking parts, such length being obviously greater in the form of Figs. 25, 26, and 27 because of the increased width of the elements 30'. The same reference numerals are applied to the interlocking portions in Figs. 25, 26 and 27 as are applied to the corresponding parts in Figs. 2, 3, and 7. y

The method of assembling the elements at the verse recess 43 engaged by the tongue l! of an element B extending at right angles to the element A. In fitting into the recess 43; the central recess 53 of the tongue I! obviously engages the lwith thev lower ends of the stress bolts (i.

the base portions I3 of the footlngs. The side and end edges of the flooring sections may be tapered, as at 63, to provide a space for the reception of a sealing mastic 64, -as shown in Fig. 17. The material 34 may be'similar to the material of 3l, shown and described in connection with Fig. 6. Mastic material 34 may alsobe employed between vthe meeting edges of adjacent ilooring sections, as shown in Fig. 22.

One end of each footing unit is formed with downwardly converging mortises Il for the reception of complemental tenons 36 on the end of an adjacent footing unit. This special type of joint between the ends of the footing units is effective in carrying the stresses from one unit to the next. For the corners of a building structure the footing units may be L-shaped, as at l1, Fig. 22.

'Ihe inner side of the upstanding part of each footing unit may be recessed, as at 68 (see Figs. 14 and 24), and projecting into each recess from the base' of the footing unit is an internally threaded sleeve 69. The sleeves 69 are preferably loose in the footings so that they may be moved laterally to some extent for proper alinement By inserting the hand into the recesses 68 such alinement can be readily effected, and-the lower threaded ends of the stress bolts Il can be read- Partitions and roof 1f it is desiredto have parutions within the complementally shaped-projection 63 within the v recess 43. At the same time there is a bracing engagement at 56, see Fig. 26, and at I6. The tongue 62 interlocking with the recess 4I provides an unusually firm interlock because there is a `close interlock at right angles between the projection 53 and the recess I3 oi' the tongue l2. After the elements Aand B-are connected, an element C is superimposed on the element A, and

the tongue 52 of the-element C engages with the' 31 are, of course, engaged with the recesses 33' and elongated grooves 31' of the superimposed building, some of the wall elements may be notched, as at 1I Figs. 12 and 13) for interlocking engagement with specially formed ends 12 of interior beams 13, as shown in Figs. 11 and 22.

e One or more of said beams 13 may be employed in.anchored relationship with the walls to support other'partition forming members, which 'may have recesses for interlocking engagement with the lugs 14 of the beams 13. At the top of the longer side walls the stress bolts 4i may terminste in recesses 1l, see Fig. 24,;and the nuts I3 may be applied to the' threaded upper ends of said bolts. The stress bolts on the end walls element, as is clear from Figs. 3 and 6. This type of engagement between themembers 31 and 31' is also clearly shown in Fig. 24.

Footinn units It is preferred, in order to rigidly support the ing -units Il (see -Fi`g. 18), and some or all ofi these inner units may betrussed as at 3i'. The

roof units 13, where nuts 43 may be applied to the threaded upper ends. The 'endmost roofforming unitsll, shown inFig. 20, are assem-v bled in conjunction with other inner roof-form- 1to0!v units` 13 and 3l are assembled, as shown in Figs."1, 21,23 and 24. there being a tonguejand groove engagement,as'at 3l Figlv 21-)'..between vthe sides of the roofforming units; .The tope most wall-forming .elements 33 on the long walls -of the structure,'and which form bearingsfor the roo: members, maynaveanchering belts s: pm-

jecting upwardly therefrom,V as shown in Fig."23',

. and extending throughfopenin'gs in the` vroofextends inwardly of the building is formed with openings 63 "for the reception of stress lugs 6i forming umts 13 and". Nuts'tlmay be'threaded on the projecting threaded ends of the, bolts I3, whereby the roof units may be tightly connected to the upper edges oftheside walls.v Y As shown in Fig. 21, mastic material I! form- .ingasealag'ainst vpoison gas. similar to that Adescribed-in connection with Fig. 6, may be emi l e. J

ployed in the tongue and groove connections between the roof units. Horizontal stress bolts Il may also be employed to additionally connect the roof-forming units and may be provided with the usual nuts which, when tightened, will compress the mastic material 85 and insure an effective seal against gas.

The gable filler units 'Il shown in Figs. 19 and are of decreasing length and are placed in superimposed position as illustrated. Stress lugs 81 on the upper edges of the filler units Il are cooperable with stress lug recesses 88 in the lower sides. In addition there may be a tongue and V.groove engagement between the superimposed gable filler units, as well as between the ends of the gable filler units and the roof-forming units 18, as indicated at 89 in Fig. 2l.

Special roof protection features Where the roof units are for use in an air raid shelter or the likethe lower ends of the units may be formed with upstanding projections 9|) which cooperate in assembly to provide a parapet wall for holding sand bags 9|, or other like material, in position on the roof, as shown in Fig. 20. In addition, in order to protect the roof proper from direct hits it is advantageous to have a frame 92 supported on corner uprights 93, as shown in Fig. 1. Auxiliary roof members 94 may then be laid on the frame 92 to receive the direct results of a hit and probably save the roof proper.

From the above it is believed clear that the construction is unique in its strength and ability to withstand strains in all directions. The combination of the stress lugs fitting in recesses, the

stress bolts which extend vertically through all of the wall elements, and the unusual corner interlock, serves to distribute stresses on any one element to a plurality of elements so that no great forces will have to be borne by any single unit. The unusual footing units with the stress equalizing end joints are so designed that regardless of the direction of the stress placed upon a single unit a portion of said stress will be passed on to the adjacent units. The end connections between the footings are so designed that alinement of the footings is automatic. The manner in which the inside beams 'I3 are anchored to the walls and the use of stress lugs on the ooring, which lugs are engageable with recesses in the footings, creates a spreading effect to aid the walls in resisting exterior stresses.

It is obvious that the building constructions illustrated in Figs. l, 20, 22, 23 and 24 are merely illustrative and that various types of structures of different size and shape may be formed. The various building units and elements may also be varied in size and proportions to suit requirements.

For small air raid shelters or the like the roof units, together with the gable ller units, may be employed alone without any supporting walls. This makes an inexpensive, quickly erected shelter. In connection with such use, the parapet walls'90 for holding sand bags and the auxiliary roof 94 are desirable additions. The unusual corner interlock shown in Figs. 7, 25, 26 and 2'7 is applicable for use in any type of construction work wherein extra strength and rigidity are important and may be used advantageously in the building of furniture or other articles out of wood.

Various other adaptations may occur to those skilled in the art, as well as additional changes and modifications, and al1 of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

1. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a recess extending into one side thereof, and having an opposite side formed to provide a tongue of less width than the element and which is complemental in shape to said recess, said tongue extending in a direction at right angles to the direction of extent of the recess and the top of the tongue meeting the bottom of the recess on a line midway of the vertical thickness of the element, the tongue of one element being adapted to engage the recess of an element at right angles thereto.

2. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a recess extending into one side thereof transversely of the element and having an opposite side formed to provide a tongue of less width than the element, said tongue being complemental in shape to said recess and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the element, the top of the tongue lmeeting the bottom of the recess on a line midway of the vertical thickness of the element, the tongue of one element being adapted to engage the recess of an element at right angles thereto.

3. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a transverse recess extending into one side thereof a short distance from an end of the element and having an opposite side formed to provide a tongue of less width than the element, said tongue being complemental in shape to said recess and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the element with one end of the tongue terminating at the end of the element, the'top of the tongue meeting the bottom oi the recess on a line midway of the vertical thickness of the element, the tongue and recess being positioned in bisecting relationship with one another whereby when the tongue of one element is engaged in the recess of another element at right angles to said first element a strong flush corner is formed.

4. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a recess extending into one side thereof and having an opposite side formed to provide a tongue which is complemental in shape to sa'id recess and which tongue extends at right angles to the direction of extent of said recess, there being a projection extending transversely of an intermediate portion of said recess, and said tongue being of bifurcated form to provide a recess intermediate the length of said tongue which is complemental in shape to the projection in the rst-mentioned recess, the bifurcated tongue of one element being adapted to engage the recess and projection of an element at right angles to said rst element.

5. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a transverse recess extending into one side thereof and having an opposite side formed to provide a tongue of less width than the element, said tongue being complemental in shape to said recess and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the element, there being a projection extending transversely of an intermediate portion of said recess, and said tongue being of bifurcated form to provide a recess intermediate the length of said tongue which is complemental in shape to the projection in the first-mentioned recess, the bifurcated tongue of one element being adapted to engage the recess and projection of an element at right angles to said rst element.

6. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a transverse recess extending into one side thereof a short distance from an end of the element and having an opposite side formed to provide a tongue of less width than the element which is complemental in shape to said recess, said tongue extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the element with one end of the tongue terminating at the end of the element, there being a projection extending transversely of the center portion of said recess, and said tongue being of bifurcated form to provide a recess which is central in the length of said tongue and which is complemental in shape to the projection in the iirstmentioned recess, the bifurcated tongue of one element being adapted to engage the recess and projection of an element at right angles to said iirst element to provide a strong flush corner.

7. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a transverse recess extending into one side thereof a short distance from an end of the element and having an opposite side formed to provide a tongue of less width than the element, said tongue being complemental in shape to said recess and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the element with one end of the tongue termi- 8. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a transverse recess extending into one side thereof a short distance from an end of the element and having an opposite side formed 4 to -provide a tongue of less width than the element. said tongue being complemental in shape to said recess and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the element with one end of the tongue terminating at the end of the element, the tongue and recess being positioned in bisecting relationship with one another whereby when the tongue of one element is engaged in the recess of another element at right angles to said rst element a strong ilush corner is formed, the portion ofeach element in which said corner interlocking means is formed being of increased width, and there being an angular surface leading into said portion oi increased width, the angular surfaces of interlocking elements cooperating to form an interior reinforcing web at the corner.

9. Elements for use in construction work, each comprising an elongated member having a portion adjacent an end cut out to provide interlocking means, said interlocking means being cooperable with complementary interlocking means formed adjacent the end of another element at right angles to said ilrst element, the portion of each element in which said interlocking means is formed being of increased width, and there being an angular surface leading into said portion oi increased width, the angular surfaces of interlocking elements cooperating to form an interior reinforcing web at the corner.

SYDNEY M. woon. .mms non.

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