WO1992001127A1

WO1992001127A1 - Modulized space truss assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1992001127A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/004705
Authority: WO
Inventors: William J. Payer
Original assignee: Payer William J
Priority date: 1990-07-05
Filing date: 1991-07-02
Publication date: 1992-01-23

Abstract

A modulized space truss assembly comprises a plurality of concrete block units (5) having a plurality of reinforcing members; each reinforcing member comprising a pressure vessel (10) in series with a prong (12), a wire or wires of similar tension resisting shape (13), a bonding agent such as mortar (11) is provided to lock the prong (12) within the pressure vessel (10). The reinforcing members are placed in the concrete block (5) in a predefined position, and a washer (8) and an indentation (9) are used to allow vertical height adjustment of the reinforcing members in the space truss assembly.

Description

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MODULIZED SPACE TRUSS ASSEMBLY

Background of Invention

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to an assembly of components to be used in a structure for the purpose of resisting loads. Description of Prior Act

One use of the modulized truss assembly is a concrete block wall assembly. Current block wall assemblies require trained laborers for the erection of components. Current block wall assemblies usually require placement of horizontal reinforcement, either as a bond beam reinforcement or horizontal joint reinforcement. Both types of reinforcement require placement in the field separate from that of the block compotent. The bond beam requires a different type of block unit and increased amounts of grout compared to what is typically placed at the joints. The current block wall assembly, if not reinforced in the vertical direction, has a limited load resisting capacity when compared to a vertically reinforced wall assembly. Also, reinforcing the vertical span of the current concrete block wall assembly is a difficult and sometimes uncertain process. Summary of Invention

This invention related to an assembly of components in which the field will allow, because of the component's space truss system and pressure vessel locking mechanism, for the increase of the load resisting capacity of the assembly and will permit the erection of the wall assembly in a shorter period of time, while requiring less skill in the laborers involved when compared to that offered by other types of existing assemblies.

It is the object of the invention to provide a component and a component assembly, that will increase worker productivity, that will decrease material utilization and that will provide a more reliable product. Another object of this invention is to provide a more efficient attaching mechanism between reinforcing elements. Brief Description of the Drawing

Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown as an assembly composed of individual components. The unique individual components of the invention consist of a wire and pipe truss elements, including a pressure vessel and prong, pipe subele ents. Fig. 1 shows a plurality of components with possible modifications resulting from use requirements. Figs. 2 and 3 show the top and bottom view of the individual component. Fig. 4 shows the wire and pipe elements in a state of attachment. Fig. 4 also shows the pipe subelement, the prong, protruding from the above block component into the pipe subelement, the pressure vessel, of the below block component. The prong subelement of the below block component is shown in an unattached state. Description of the Reinforced Embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1, coarsing 1 is shown in a running bond configuration. ^■ gap between adjacent components is required for either a bonding and/or sealant mixture. Corner block 2, beam seat 3, and strap 4 all show possible modifications from assembly use requirements. Corner block 2 will provide a continuation of the pipe element. Beam seat 3 will provide support for a beam or series of beams; Strap 4 will provide an attachment to an adjacent structural system.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, component configuration and surrounding medium 5 is shown. Medium 5 provides adequate support and protection for the wire and pipe elements. Medium 5 allows the elements to act as an unit in the space truss assembly. The typical material utilized for such support is a Portland cement product. Overall block component configuration will be similar to the American National Standard Sizes of Concrete Masonry Units configurations. Openings 6 are shown at specified positions for all block components with the exception of corner block 2. The transverse centerline of the openings 6 are placed at a distance of 1/4 the nominal length located within the necessary proximity of the outside edges, in order that medium 5 provides the minimum adequate support and protection of the wire and pipe elements. Block openings 7 are placed to provide for maximum reduction of weight and ease of forming. Possible washer 8 and indentation 9 allow for vertical height adjustments of the block components in the wall assembly.

Referring to Fig. 4, pressure vessel 10 utilizes the expansive properties of mortar 11. Mortar 11 has a high bonding capacity and expansive properties necessary to couple prong 12 to the pressure vessel 10. The pressure vessel 10 will resist the expansion of mortar 11, thus pressure vessel 10 will provide the locking mechanism for the coupling of prong 12 and pressure vessel 10. The wire 13 is in the same vertical plane as pressure vessel 10 and prong 12. The wire diameter needs only to be of sufficient thickness to function as a web member in the space truss assembly. The pressure vessel 10 and prong 12 utilizes the same piece of pipe. The prong 12 will be crimped in a manner to provide easy insertion into the pressure vessel 10 while maintaining maximum surface area and structural crushing resistance characteristics. The upper part of pressure vessel 10 will be partially crimped to provide a truncated cone. A washer could be placed near the top of the truncated cone to function as both a tension ring and as a spacer to allow for field tolerances in block component erection. Fig 4. shows the unique individual elements of this invention in an attached state.

Claims

CLAIMS: I claim;

1. A modulized space truss assembly comprising of a plurality of units, with said unit comprising of a plurality of reinforcing members, with said reinforcing members consisting of a continuous configuration being comprised of a vessel in series with a prong, with said reinforcing members in combination with a wire or wires of similar tension resisting shape, with linkage and reinforcing means provided as said prong is inserted into recesses of said vessel of adjacent said unit in conjunction with a bonding agent, with said bonding agent providing principle binding medium coupling said reinforcing members, with said reinforcing members being placed at specific locations to allow said unit placement means in a running bond pattern in said modulized space truss assembly, with said wire or wires or similar tension resisting shape extending from proximity of top of said vessel with said wire or wires or similar tension resisting shape mounted to said vessel providing reinforcing means between said reinforcing members and said wire or wires to transfer forces between said reinforcing members, with said vessel and said wire or wires or similar tension resisting shape upon hardening of cast of said unit structurally integral with concrete matrix, with concrete matrix being casted outside of said modulized space truss assembly, with casting of said concrete matrix being done on per said unit basis.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein said bonding agent is an expansive bonding agent.

3. The closure of claim 1 wherein said vessel and said concrete matrix is adopted for a possible adjustment washer or a similar adjustment mechanism.

4. The closure of claim 1 wherein limits of said concrete matrix being defined by limits of said unit, with said limits of said units being defined by boundaries of said modulized space truss assembly, with said boundaries of said modulized space truss assembly being defined by structure surface configuration.

5. A modulized space truss unit comprised of a consistent shape or shapes, with said consistent shape or shapes comprised of a vessel in continuous series with a prong, with said vessel extending approximately through depth of said modulized space truss unit and said prong having approximately same length of said vessel, with said prong having a transverse area sufficient for placement of said prong within said vessel, with said vessel upon hardening of cast of said unit structurally integral with concrete matrix.