WO1998051565A1

WO1998051565A1 - Structural element

Info

Publication number: WO1998051565A1
Application number: PCT/SE1997/000786
Authority: WO
Inventors: Birger Eliasson; Sture Bruno
Original assignee: Global Float Systems AB
Priority date: 1995-11-21
Filing date: 1997-05-13
Publication date: 1998-11-19
Also published as: SE9700800D0; AU3364997A

Abstract

The invention relates to construction elements which are shape-interlockable with each other. A basic element (1) has two diametrically opposite T-appendages (4, 6), a first pair of diametrically opposite L-appendages (10, 12) and a second pair of diametrically opposite L-appendages (8, 14). A plurality of basic elements can be interlocked with each other and can be vertically secured to each other by means of a locking body (44) insertable into a lock groove (33, 54). The edges of a composite unit can be evened off by edge elements (66, 68, 70, 72). The edge of a composite unit can be evened off by edge elements (66, 68, 70, 72). The edge elements can be interlocked and secured to the basic elements in a corresponding manner as the basic elements are to each other.

Description

STRUCTURAL ELEMENT.

The present invention relates to construction elements of the type disclosed in the preamble to the accompanying claim 1.

Construction elements of this type are previously known, for example, for ground covering, ground reinforcement or for making floating substructures of varying buoyancy and size for different purposes, such as swimming rafts, floating docks, bridges, work platforms and airports.

Since the surface of the earth is large and covered with water and the remaining land areas are often overpopulated or overexploited, it is desirable more than ever to be able to use the water as a supporting surface for various types of activities and especially those requiring much space or which have a marine connection. A few examples are salvage platforms, harbours, power plants, factories, airfields and even entire communities including cities. In addition to the above described areas for use, the construction elements can of course also be used for all sorts of purposes such as floors, walls and ceiling covering or as toys in the form of puzzles, building blocks etc., are in this case made with dimensions adapted to the intended purpose.

DE 36 30 275 Al describes as previously known a floating airport which has as a landing strip a plate mounted on a floating hull and which is characterized in that the landing strip is divided longitudinally into sections arranged on separate hulls coupled together in a row. Each section has a surface of circa 60 x 350 m. The hulls with the landing strip sections are made at a shipyard, and the desired number of units are then towed to the desired location. The options available for choosing the shape of the landing strip are limited to having a shorter or longer landing strip with a width of 60 m.

GB 2 287 911 A describes a floating platform intended to support fishnets hanging down therefrom and is provided with walkways around the net area. The platform is made with a number of floating bodies joined by means of lines or chains running in through channels in the floating bodies. The lines are kept taut by means of elastic tensioning devices, which make the platform somewhat more rigid. The lines make it more difficult to replace damaged or punctured floating bodies and alternative shapes will be rather complicated and it is impossible to provide a fixed anchoring of the floating bodies to each other.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to achieve, in a simple manner, construction elements of the type described by way of introduction which are rela- tively small, simple and inexpensive to manufacture and are easily transported to an assembly location. They should also occur in a small number of variants which are simple to assemble at any selected location, for example into a platform which has a high degree of security and reliability and which is flexible as regards size, shape, disassembly and service. This is achieved according to the invention by using con- struction elements of the type described by way of introduction which have the features recited in the characterizing clause of the accompanying independent claims. Advantageous further developments and improvements of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. According to one preferred embodiment, all of the elements are securely anchored to each other so that a solid and elastic high-strength platform with good buoyancy is achieved.

The preferred embodiment will be illustrated with the aid of the accompanying schematic drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following description.

Fig. 1 shows a horizontal view of a first element which is a basic element,

Fig. 2 shows a vertical elevation showing the basic element as viewed from below in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a vertical elevation showing the basic element as viewed from the right in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a vertical elevation of a lock plate for the basic element, Fig. 5 is a plan view of a second element which is a side element, Fig. 6 is a vertical elevation showing the side element as viewed from below in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a plan view of a third element which is a side corner element,

Fig. 8 is a vertical elevation showing the side corner element as viewed from below,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a fourth element which is a double corner element,

Fig. 10 is a vertical elevation showing the double corner element as viewed from below, Fig. 11 is a plan view of a fifth element which is an inner corner element,

Fig. 12 is a vertical elevation showing the inner corner element as viewed from below,

Fig. 13 is a vertical elevation of a paving element intended to be used in certain cases as a wear surface of a load-bearing platform, Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the paving element as viewed from below,

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a platform composed of only two basic elements, two side- corner elements and a double corner element,

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a larger platform composed of a number of basic elements, side elements and side corner elements, Fig. 17 is a plan view of a platform with an opening in the middle which, in addition to the elements used in the platform in Fig. 16 also includes inner corner elements, Fig. 18 is a plan view of a basic element interlocked with adjacent basic elements, Fig. 19 is a partially sectioned view of Fig. 18 along the line XIX-XIX, and Fig. 20 is a partially sectioned view of Fig. 18 along the line XX-XX.

The design of the elements has been aimed at eliminating fracture initiating points and at the same time providing a large contact surface between the interlocking elements and to thereby provide a basic element with universal application in load- bearing platforms of various shapes and sizes. Tests have shown that a basic element based on a circular center portion is particularly advantageous. All the dimensions of the lock means for both the basic element and the other elements have been calculated using circles inscribable on the T- or L-shaped appendages of the lock means. The construction elements can be manufactured of plastic, rubber, metal, wood, composite materials or some other suitable material and can have closed cavities if the elements are to be used in floating constructions.

Each basic element is shape-interlocking with four other basic elements or with edge elements, and the elements can be locked against vertical displacement out of the interlocking engagement by means of special lock means or locking bodies.

Each basic element has preferably a diameter of circa 2 m and is suitably manufactured in two different thicknesses, 0.35 m and 0.70 m, to adapt to the required buoyancy. This design makes it possible, based on a number of identical basic elements, to build stable platforms in sizes from circa 2 x 3 m up to very large platforms of circa 3 x 5 km. It is also possible to use up or down scaled elements for constructions for various purposes or blocks or puzzles for play purposes.

The various elements included in the system of construction elements are shown in the drawing. They can be interlocked to provide varying surface sizes and shapes for various ranges of use.

Figs. 1-3 show a basic element 1, which has a circular cylindrical center portion 2, which has on its lateral surface 3 regularly spaced radially projecting appendages, firstly two essentially T-shaped appendages 4,6 and secondly four essentially identical L-shaped appendages 8, 10, 12, 14. For the sake of simplicity, only one of each type of the appendages will be described. Each T-appendage and each L- appendage has an individual shank 16 or 18, respectively, joined to the center portion 2 with an individual head 20 or 22, respectively, joined to the radial outer end of the respective shank. All of the appendages are shaped with the aid of circle arcs of varying radii, viz. Ri R₂ >R₃.

The head 20 of the T-appendage is provided on either side of its shank 16 with oppositely extending first 24 and second 26 projections. The head 22 of the L- appendage only has a single third projection 28 extending from one side of the shank 18.

The T-appendages 4,6 and the L-appendages 8,10,12, 14 are spaced around the periphery of the center portion 2 in such a manner that three pairs of diametrically oppositely directed appendages are provided, viz. a first pair formed of the identical T-appendages 4,6 and a second and a third pair, respectively, of identical but inverted L-appendages 8,14 and 10,12, respectively.

The radial outer boundary 29 of each T-appendage is concave and has a shape of an arc 29 of radius R₂ joining the first 24 and the second 26 projections to each other. These projections are each defined by arcs of the same radius R₃. These projections can act on one side to the concave limitation 29 and on the other side to individual additional arcs with radius R₃, defining the shank 16 connecting to the periphery of the center portion and tangentially intersecting the periphery of the center portion 2.

On either side of the shank 16 of each T-appendage 4,6, each arc with radius R₃ connects to an individual circular arc of radius R_1? defining the boundary of the shank 18 of the T-appendage of each L-appendage 8, 10,12,14.

The radial outer limit 30 of each L-appendage is convex and describes a circular arc 30 also having a radius Ri, forming approximately a 90° angle with the boundary of the shank 18 and connected thereto by means of a bevelled neck 31. The projection 28 of the L-appendage is bonded by a circular arc of radius R₃, one end of which is connected to the radial outer portion and the other end of which connects to a circular arc of the same radius which forms the side of the shank 18 of the L-appendage facing away from the T-appendage. This last-mentioned circular arc touches tangentially and connects to the periphery of the center portion 2. Thus, the L-appendages 8, 10, 12,14 define with projections 28 directed towards each other two shapes complementary to the T-appendages 4,6.

As can best be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the basic element 1 has a circular lock hub 32 having a radius of R₂ and rising above the center portion 2. The circumference of the lock hub has grooves 33,34,35, of which one groove is a cfrcumferential first lock groove 33, which runs around the periphery of the lock hub 32. There are two dia-metrically opposite inclined entrances 34. Furthermore, there are two diametrically opposite vertical entrances 35, which intersect the lock groove 33 at essentially right angles. These vertical entrances are each spaced essentially 70° from the respective inclined entrances 34.

Each vertical entrance 35 on the lock hub 32 leads to a first guide groove 38 in the lateral surface 3 of the center portion 2. The guide groove curves to the left as seen in the drawing and opens at a cavity 40 in the basic element opposite to the above- mentioned lock hub 32. A second guide groove runs in a similar manner from the diametrically opposite entrance 35. In other words, if the basic element 1 is rotated 180° in the horizontal plane (Fig. 1), both the circumferential surface of the lock hub 32 and the lateral surface 3 of the center portion as well as the L-appendages 8, 10 with their convex boundaries 30 are made identical to the vertical elevation shown in Fig. 3.

The cavity 40 in the bottom of the basic element has a shape corresponding to the shape of the lock hub 32 and also has grooves matching the grooves in the lock hub, comprising a second lock groove 42 which, together with the first lock groove 33 in the lock hub of another basic element, forms a channel 33,42. Into this channel the locking body made of some suitable resilient material, for example in the form of a hose 44, can be inserted. When inserted, it locks the basic elements securely to each other. The hose is preferably a common commercially available polyethylene hose available in various diameters.

The basic elements should be coupled together in such a manner that the parts

4,6,8, 10, 12,14 of one basic element are angularly displaced 90° relative to the corresponding appendages of the second basic element. This means that the first basic element is oriented as shown in Fig. 2 and the second basic element is oriented in accordance with Fig. 3. With this orientation, the lock hub 32 of the first basic element is inserted into the cavity 40 of the second basic element with the entrance 34 to the first lock groove 33 located directly at the opening of the guide groove 38.

If only one layer of basic elements are to be interlocked with each other, the lock hub 32 is replaced by a circular lock plate 46 (Fig. 4). As does the lock hub 32, the lock plate 46 has a third lock groove 48 running around the periphery, and two diametrically opposite inclined second entrances 50 leading to the lock groove (only one of said entrances is visible in the drawing). Four additional basic elements can be interlocked with each basic element 1 in a single layer. As can be seen in Figs. 1-3, the appendages of each basic element have grooves formed in the respective concave and convex surfaces.

Thus, each T-appendage has a second guide groove 52 with a curvature corresponding to the guide groove 38, said second guide groove leading to a fourth guide groove 54 which, when the T-appendage of a third basic element is inserted between two L-appendages of the first basic element 1, completes the first 33, second 42, or third 48 lock groove for the locking body 44. In a corresponding manner, the T-appendage of a fourth basic element, inserted between the remaining L-appendages of the basic element, completes the lock grooves on the opposite side of the basic element 1. As can be seen in Fig. 3, each L-appendage has a fifth lock groove 56 corresponding to the first lock groove 33 of each lock hub 32 or the third lock groove 48 of each lock plate 46, thereby completing the channel for the lock body 44.

When the L-appendages of a fifth and a sixth basic element are interlocked with the T-appendages 4,6 of the basic element 1 and are in contact with adjacent L- appendages 8, 12 and 10, 14, respectively, at the same time as T-appendages of a third and a fourth basic element are inserted between the respective L-appendages of the basic element 1, as described above, the five basic elements can be secured together by inserting locking bodies 44 into each vertical entrance 35. The locking body is then guided in a guide channel created by guide grooves 38 and 52 into a lock channel created by the first 33 or the third 48 lock groove together with the second 42, the fourth 54 and the fifth 56 lock grooves.

In this manner it is possible to interlock any number of basic elements 1 with each other, depending on to what use the platform or unit in question is to be put.

As can be seen in Figs. 15-17, it is possible to create units of varying size and shape on the basis of the above described basic element 1.

Fig. 15 shows an example of a small unit, for example a switmming raft 58, which is composed of only two basic elements. Figs. 16 and 17 show examples of larger rafts or work platforms 60 and 62, respectively, the latter of which having a work opening 64 in the middle. In principle, there is no limit to the size of the platforms which can be made. Due to strength considerations, however, it is suitable to build large units in several layers and to orient the elements in the different layers in such a manner that the dividing lines between each element are broken when moving from one layer to another.

In order to make the outer edges, and in certain cases the inner edges, of the units straight, the elements include a number of edge elements, for example a side element 66 shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a side comer element 68 shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a double comer element 70 shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and an inner comer element 72 shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

An example of a paving element 74 for the platforms is shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

The side element 66 is made with a straight long side 76 and two straight short sides 78 forming right angles with the long side. The remaining long side is made with a shape complementary to one of the T-appendages 4,6 and the two adjacent L-appen- dages 8, 12 of a first basic element 1 and an L-appendage of a second and a third basic element. Thus, each short side 78 of the side element 66 is made with a half T-appendage 80 and 82, respectively, which connects to the shape of a sine curve extending towards the middle of the element, where it has two lateral projections 84 and 86, respectively. The lateral projections extend towards each other from the middle portion of the element so that they create the shape of a T-appendage 4,6.

In the middle of each sine curve there is a notch 88,90 which, together with the bevelled neck 31 of the basic elements interlocked with the side element, forms a square hole 92 (see Fig. 16). These holes can be used for drainage purposes, for example, or as anchoring points for railing posts, mooring lines or the like.

As can be seen in Fig. 6, the side element 66 also has guide grooves 94,96,98, 100, with a curvature corresponding to the guide grooves of the basic element 1. In order for the side element 66 to be usable on all surfaces of the platform 62, it can be turned over. This means that the entrances to the guide grooves are on both sides of the element, viz. one entrance 102 to the guide groove 100 and one entrance 104 to the guide groove 98 on the top side shown in the drawing, and an entrance 106 to the guide groove 94 and an entrance 108 to the guide groove 96 on the underside of the side element 66. Furthermore, there are lock grooves 110 and 112, respectively, in the lateral projections 84 and 86, respectively, corresponding to the lock groove 33, 54 and 56 of each basic element and to the lock groove 48 of each bottom lock plate, in conjunction with the top or bottom of the side element. In each T-appendage half 80,82, the element has lock grooves 109, 111 and 113,115, respectively, connecting to each guide groove 94 and 100, respectively.

The side comer element 68 is also provided with a long side 114, a short side 116 and a comer side 118. The short side 116 and the comer side 118 form right angles with the long side 114. A second short side 120 forms a right angle with the comer side 118 and, and does the short side 116, constitutes a dividing line for its half T- appendage 122 and 124, respectively. The half T-appendage 122 is connected to a sine-shaped line extending up to a second lateral projection 126, while the second half T-appendage 124 is connected to a comer projection 128 via a notch 130. In the middle of the sine curve there is also a notch 132. The notches serve the same purpose as previously described with regard to the side element 66.

The side corner element 68 has in locations corresponding to those of the side element 66, guide grooves 132, 134, 136 and 138, which have entrances 140 and 142 on the top of the element, and entrances 144 and 146 on the underside of the element. In each T-appendage half 122,124 the element has lock grooves 148,150 adjacent the top of the element, and lock grooves 152, 154 adjacent the underside of the element. The second lateral projection 126 has lock grooves 156 adjacent both the top side and the underside, and the corner projection 128 has lock grooves 158 adjacent both the top side and the underside.

The double comer element 70 and the inner comer element 72 are also made in a corresponding manner to interlock with the respective appendages 4,6;8, 10;12, 14 of the basic element 1 and have guide grooves with entrances from both sides of the respective element and lock grooves and notches, which are made correspondingly to that described above as regards the side element 66 and the side corner element 68.

The paving element 74 provides a wear layer, for example on the constructed plat- form 58. The paving element is made as a square plate 160, which is preferably made of concrete but which, as needed, may of course also be made of other materials, such as mbber, plastic or steel plating. The plate has a circular opening 162 in the center, which allows the plate to be placed on a basic element 1 with the element hub 32 projecting into the opening 162. In the inner periphery of the opening 162 there is a lock groove 164, which has two diametrically opposed entrances 166, making it possible to secure the paving element 74 to the basic element hub 32 by inserting the locking body 44 in the manner described above. The plate 160 also has two diametrically opposed cover ears 168 which, when the plate is placed with the respective comers on the bevelled neck portions 31, cover the vertical entrances 35 in the basic element to the guide grooves 38. The plate is notched 170 at each comer in such a manner that the square spaces 92 formed at the joint surfaces between the different elements remain free.

Each paving unit 74 can be open in the middle for constructions which are not subjected to any appreciable wear. For constructions with greater wear, e.g. bridges, work platforms, etc., it is suitable to make the element with a cover on the top, for example, by increasing the thickness of the element. In this case it is important that the entrances 166 to the lock grooves 164 reach the top of the element. With this last mentioned paving element it is thus possible to cover a construction in its entirety with a square pattern, up to a "buffer zone" around the edges, as shown in Fig. 15.

In a particularly simple variant of the construction elements, for example for toy blocks, all of the lock grooves and guide grooves with entrances have been elimi- nated. By making the elements to fit closely, sufficiently high frictional force is obtained between the interlocked elements, to prevent them from becoming disengaged during normal use.

It is also possible to manufacture profiles for various uses, where the shape of one of the above described basic elements can be the cross-section of the profile.

Claims

1. Construction elements, which comprise at least a first element (1) and which are interlockable by means (4,6,10,12,14) insertable into recesses designed therefor, into a group of elements which are in contact with each other, characterized in that the first element is a basic element (1), which is based on a center portion (2) with a regular, peripheral shape, from which there extend at least three pairs of essentially diametrically opposite lock means made as pairwise identical appendages (4,6,10,12,14), that each appendage has a shank (16, 18) joined to the center portion, and a head

(20,22) joined to said shank, that each appendage of a first pair of locking means (4,6) is essentially T-shaped with a head (20) with projections (24,26) extending peripherally in two directions, that each appendage of a second (10,12) and a third (8, 14) pair of locking means is essentially L-shaped and has a head (22) made with a projection (28) extending peripherally in one direction, that the projections (28) of the L-appendages (8, 10, 12, 14) disposed between two T-appendages (4,6) are directed towards each other and the L-appendages are formed and disposed in such a manner that they, between them, form a shape complementary to a T-appendage.

2. Elements according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shank (16) of each T- appendage (4,6) is provided with a transition on both sides of the T-appendage having a predetermined radius R₃ between the head (20) and the center portion

(2), and that both free ends (24,26) of the T-appendage (4,6) each have the same radius R₃.

3. Elements according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shank (18) of each L-appendage (8, 10, 12, 14) is formed with a transition of a predetermined radius R₃ between the center portion (2) and the head (22) on facing sides of the L- appendages (8, 10, 12, 14), and that the projection (28) of the head in each of the L-appendages is made with the same radius R₃.

4. Elements according to one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the side of the shank (18) of each L-appendage (8,10,12,14), which faces an adjacent T-appendage (4,6), is made by means of a transition with the radius Ri between the center portion (2) and a bevelled portion (31) which is a neck portion (31) on the projection (28) of the head.

5. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the center portion (2) is circular.

6. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radially outwardly facing surfaces of the appendages are concave (29) in each T- appendage (4,6) and are convex (30) in each L-appendage (8,10,12,14).

7. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic element (1) has a circular cylindrical-shaped lock hub (32) projecting from the center portion (2), said hub having grooves (33,34,35) on its circumference for its engagement with an elongated flexible locking body (44).

8. Elements according to Claim 7, characterized in that the basic element has a recess (40) on its side opposite the lock hub (32), said recess having a shape corresponding to the lock hub and having grooves (42) on its inner circumference for engagement with the lock hub (32) of another basic element (1) and the locking body (44).

9. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lock plate (46), which has a shape corresponding to the lock hub (32) can be secured in the recess (40) in the basic element by means of the locking body (44), which is inserted at essentially a right angle to the horizontal plane and in a channel formed by grooves (35,38) in the convex periphery (3) of the center portion, and a concave portion (29) in contact therewith of a T-shaped appendage (4,6) of another basic element (1), into a channel formed by respective external grooves

(50,48) in the bottom lock plate and internal grooves (42) in the recess in the basic element.

10. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concave surface (29) on each T-appendage, the projections (28) of the L-appendages and the lateral surface (3) of the center portion have grooves (52,54,56,38) which, when a plurality of construction elements are interlocked with each other, form, together with corresponding grooves (52,54,56,38) in adjacent constraction elements, channels into which the locking body (44) is insertable.

11. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second element (66), which has lock means (80,82,84,86) complementary to the lock means (4,6, 10, 12, 14) of the basic element (1), are arranged to join at least two basic elements to each other.

12. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one third element (68), which has interlocking means complementary to the inter-locking means of the basic element (1), is arranged as a comer element (68) to join two basic elements to each other.

13. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fourth element (70), which has interlocking means complementary to the interlocking means of the basic element (1), is arranged as a double comer element (70), which is interlockable to a basic element (1) to make an outer edge of the basic element.

14. Elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fifth element (72) having interlocking means complementary to the interlock-ing means of the basic element (1), is made as an inner comer element (72) which is connectable to at least two basic elements (1) to constitute an inner edge of the basic elements.

15. Elements according to one of Claims 11-14, characterized in that the second element (66) is an outer edge element (66).

16. Element according to one of Claims 11-14, characterized in that the second element (66) if an inner edge element (66).

17. Platform, characterized in that it is composed of at least two basic elements (1), at least two third elements (68) and at least one fourth element (70).

18. Platform, characterized in that it is composed of at least two basic elements (1), at least two third elements (68) and at least two second elements (66).

19. Platform, characterized in that it is composed of at least two basic elements (1), at least two second elements (66), at least two third elements (68) and at least four fifth elements (72).