WO1993005250A1

WO1993005250A1 - Construction components and their uses

Info

Publication number: WO1993005250A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/001622
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alistair John Hidden; Peter James Britton
Original assignee: Ecc Construction Materials Limited
Priority date: 1991-09-05
Filing date: 1992-09-04
Publication date: 1993-03-18
Also published as: GB9118954D0

Abstract

Various construction components are formed of moulded concrete and are provided as a kit of parts for constructing any of a range of structures particularly suitable and attractive for use in a domestic garden. A random layout of different heights of pedestrals and steps can be formed using different sizes of first components (10) of open tubular configuration and of hexagonal cross section with lips and recesses enabling interconnection, and different sizes of components (22) which are also of hexagonal cross section and have closed upper ends (24). Other components are avaiblable to construct other structures such as support columns, walls and foothpaths.

Description

Construction Components and their Uses

This invention relates to construction components and structures formed by the selective interconnection of such components. The invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with components which can be used in domestic environments, for example to selecti¬ vely construct different types of structure in a garden or in an interior. The invention may also be used in commercial landscaping.

According to the present invention there is provided a construction component of generally tubular configuration, the component having a polygonal transverse cross-section, and means providing for end to end connection with another component having the same transverse cross-section.

Preferably the component has a hexagonal trans¬ verse cross-section, and preferably also has a textured finish on its peripheral surface and one end surface. The component may be moulded from a cementi ious material and may be formed, for example, of concrete.

In one form, the component may be open at each end, while in another form the component may be open at one end and closed at the other end. The connection means in said one form may be a lip extending longitud¬ inally outwardly of the component around the interior space thereof at one end, and a complementary recess at the other end. The connection means in the other form may be a recess at the open end. In yet a third form, the component may be open at each end and the connection means may be a recess at one end.

The invention also provides a kit of parts comp¬ rising a plurality of first construction components each of which is of generally tubular configuration, having a polygonal transverse cross-section, and being open at each end, with connection means being provided, the first components being provided in at least two differ¬ ent longitudinal dimensions, the kit further comprising a plurality of second construction components, each of which is of generally tubular configuration having a polygonal transverse cross-section, being closed at one end and open at the other end, with connection means being provided, the second components being provided in at least two different longitudinal dimensions, the first and second components being interconnectable in any selected one of different arrangements whereby to form a desired structure.

Preferably each of the first and second components has a textured peripheral surface, and may be moulded from a cementitious material, for example concrete. Each of the first components also preferably has a textured end surface.

Preferably the first and second construction comp¬ onents are each of hexagonal transverse cross-section, and the kit of parts may include a plurality of third construction components, each of which is of half hexagonal transverse cross-section. Each of the third components may have a textured peripheral surface and may be moulded from a cementitious material, for example concrete.

Further, the present invention provides a structure constructed from a kit of parts as described in any of the three preceding paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above and a side of a first construction component according to the invention^•

Fig. 2 is an underneath plan of the component of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above and a side of a second construction component according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view from above and a side of a third construction component according to the invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from above and one side of a fourth construction component according to the invention:

Fig. 6 shows a first example of the use of the components according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a second example of the use of components according to the invention: and

Fig. 8 shows a yet further example of the use of components according to the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a first construction component 10 is moulded from a cementitious material such as concrete and has a tubular open-ended configuration providing a passage 12 which extends centrally through a body 14 of hexagonal transverse cross-section. The body 14 is formed with a textured finish on its peripheral side faces 16 and on one end face, the upper end face 18 in use. On the upper end an annular lip 20 is formed around the passage 12 to extend longitudinally outwardly of the end face 18 for connection to another component as hereinafter described. On the lower end, an annular recess 21 is formed around the passage 12 to be substantially complementary in shape to the lip 20.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, a further construction component 22 has a tubular configuration but has a closed upper end 24. The component 22 has the same hexagonal cross-section as the component 10 and is formed on the end 24 and on peripheral side faces 26 with a textured finish. An annular recess (not shown), the same as the recess 21 , is formed on the lower end around the internal passage.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, a yet further construction component 40 is moulded from a cementitious material such as concrete and has a tubular open-ended configuration similar to that of the first component 10. A passage 42 extends centrally through a body 44 of hexagonal transverse cross-section. On the end face (not shown in Fig. 4) which is lowermost in use an annular recess (not shown), the same as the recess 21, is formed around the passage. Unlike the first component 10, the component 40 does not have a lip formed around the passage on the end face which is the upper face in use. The body 44 has a textured finish on its peripheral side faces 48 and on the upper end face 46. It will be appreciated that the surface texture on the face 46 extends across substantially the entire surface, making the component 40 particularly suitable in certain applications as hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings, another construction component 40 is moulded from a cementitious material such as concrete and has a half hexagonal transverse cross-section. The component 50 is preferably solid but can be recessed in one end to form a substantially open-ended hollow component. The component 50 is formed with a textured finish on at least an upper end face 52, peripheral side faces 54, and a longer side face 56.

The first component 10 is provided in a range of sizes having different longitudinal dimensions, and is preferably provided in sizes of 100, 200 and 300 mm. The component 22 is also formed in different sizes, for example of both 100 and 200 mm, in longitudinal dimension. The component 40 is preferably provided with a longitudinal dimension of 100 mm, but may also be provided in a range of sizes of other longitudinal dimensions. The component 50 is preferably provided with a longitudinal dimension of 100 mm.

The different sizes of the components 10 and the different sizes of the components 22 and 40 can be selected for use in forming any of a considerable range of structures, particularly suitable and attractive for use in a domestic garden.

For example, with reference to Fig. 6, a random lay-out of different heights of pedestals and steps can be formed. Different sizes of the components 22 may be used by themselves and located directly on the ground with their closed ends 24 uppermost, whereby to define pedestals 28 and steps 30. Selected ones of the components 10 may be mounted one above the other using, for connection, the lip 20 of the lower component 10 locating in the recess 21 of the upper component 10, and then similarly a component 22 can be located on the top, whereby to form higher pedestals 32 and higher steps 34. Because of the hexagonal cross-section, various ones of the pedestals 32 and the steps 34 may be arranged with their side faces 16, 26 in abutment and thereby form a very aesthetic and individually constructed arrangement. If the height of the pedestals requires, concrete can be poured into the aligned passages 12 of the components 10 to stabilise the latter before the top end component 22 is located in position. The components 22 may also be used as paving units with their side faces 26 in abutment. When laid against a conventional paved area utilising rectangular paving slabs, the components 50 can be utilised as transit.ional units with the longer side faces 56 abuting the straight edge of the conventional paved area.

In another use as shown in Fig. 7, the structure may be left open at its upper end with the respective component 10 having its passage 12 filled with soil, whereby the component effectively becomes a planter. Alternatively, a component 40 may be used to provide the open upper end of the structure, thus providing a particularly attractive finished appearance.

In yet another possible use as shown in Fig. 8, different sizes of the components 10 may be utilised to form support columns 36, with components 22 at their upper ends if required. Such columns 36 can support any required garden structure and, to stabilise the columns, concrete is poured into the aligned passages 12. It will be appreciated that different heights of columns may be constructed and the columns may be used for other types of support, for example fencing or chains may extend between adjacent columns. Column structures can also be used for sundials, birdbaths and the like.

It will be appreciated that the components 10, 22, 40 and 50 can be selectively used also to construct walls and footpaths.

The use of the components is not to be construed as limited to those examples described and shown. It is also to be appreciated that the individual components may be of other configurations. The textured finish enhances the aesthetic appearance of the components and the textured finish on the peripheral surfaces of the components provides the effect of uneven joints.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

Claims

Clains:-

1. A construction component of generally tubular configuration, the component having a polygonal transverse cross-section, and means providing for end to end connection with another component having the same transverse cross-section.

2. A component according to Claim 1, wherein the component has a hexagonal transverse cross-section.

3. A component according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the component has a textured finish on its peripheral surface and one end surface.

4. A component according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the component is moulded from a cementitious material.

5. A component according to Claim 4, wherein the cementitious material is concrete.

6. A component according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the component is open at each end.

A component according to Claim 6, wherein the connection means is a lip extending longitudinally outwardly of the component around the interior space thereof at one end, and a complementary recess at the other end.

8. A component according to Claim 6, wherein the connection means is a recess at one end.

9. A component according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the component is open at one end and closed at the other end.

10. A component according to Claim 9, wherein the connection means is a recess at the open end.

11. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of first construction components each of which is of generally tubular configuration, having a polygonal transverse cross-section, and being open at each end, with connection means being provided, th.e first components being provided in at least two different longitudinal dimensions, the kit further comprising a plurality of second construction components, each of which is of generally tubular configuration having a polygonal transverse cross-section, being closed at one end and open at the other end, with connection means being provided, the second components being provided in at least two different longitudinal dimensions, the first and second components being interconnectable in any selected one of different arrangements whereby to form a desired structure.

12. A kit of parts according to Claim 11, wherein each of the first and second components has a textured peripheral surface.

13. A kit of parts according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein each of the first and second components is moulded from a cementitious material.

14. A kit of parts according to Claim 13, wherein the cementitious material is concrete.

15. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 11 to

14, wherein each of the first components has a textured end surface.

16. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 11 to

15, wherein each of the first and second components has a hexagonal transverse cross-section.

17. A kit of parts according to Claim 16, wherein the kit of parts includes a plurality of third construction components, each of which has a half hexagonal transverse cross-section.

18. A kit of parts according to Claim 17, wherein each of the third components has a textured peripheral surface and end surface.

19. A kit of parts according to Claim 17 or 18, wherein each of the third components is moulded from a cementitious material.

20. A kit of parts according to Claim 19, wherein the cementitious material is concrete.