WO1999023322A1

WO1999023322A1 - Assembly for constructing a wall and/or building and method making use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO1999023322A1
Application number: PCT/NL1998/000630
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolaas Van Eck; Theodorus Adrianus Johannes Withagen
Original assignee: Nicolaas Van Eck; Withagen Theodorus Adrianus Jo
Priority date: 1997-10-30
Filing date: 1998-10-30
Publication date: 1999-05-14
Also published as: AU1177999A; NL1007399C2

Abstract

Assembly for constructing a wall (10), for instance log cabins, a fence for a house, mobile home, piece of furniture or the like, comprising: a number of substantially elongated wall parts (20) which are provided at both ends with grooves on either side; and a connectig member (11, 12, 31) with a centre part and two profile parts of U-shaped cross section which protrude relative to the centre part, wherein the legs of the U have a bent outer end which fits into the grooves in the wall parts (20).

Description

ASSEMBLY FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL AND/OR BUILDING AND METHOD MAKING USE THEREOF

Many systems are available on the market for constructing chalets, caravans, cupboards, buildings, furniture and the like. A rigid corner joint for buildings is known for instance from the European patent application EP-A-0 129 176. The drawback of this known welded corner joint is the necessity for fixedly screwing together the steel components of this corner joint, which is time-consuming. The present invention provides an assembly for constructing a wall, for instance a fence, for a house, mobile home or piece of furniture, comprising:

- a number of wall parts which are provided at both ends with grooves on either side; and - a connecting member with a centre part and two profile parts of U-shaped cross-section which protrude relative to the centre part, wherein the legs of the U have a bent outer end which fits into the grooves in the wall parts. Although in a first embodiment use is made of wall parts of wood, it is likewise possible to envisage the use of wall parts of plastic, stone, metal or combinations thereof.

Although in a first embodiment the connecting member is of metal, other materials can also be chosen for this purpose, such as wood, plastic, stone or combinations thereof, wherein the thickness of the used materials can be adapted to the requirements of the application. The profile parts of U-shaped cross-section can be mutually attached in line with each other, but can also be fixed directly to each other at different angles. The assembly according to the present invention can be utilized in many different applications, such as a chalet-type caravan, shed, piece of furniture, fence or building. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly according to the present invention; fig. 2 shows a perspective view of detail II of fig. 1; fig. 3 shows a perspective view of detail III of fig. 1; fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention; and fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

A wall 10 (fig. 1) for instance of a holiday home or the like is constructed between two corner posts 11 respectively 12. As is also shown particularly clearly in fig. 2, the preferred embodiment 11 (and 12) comprises two profiles 13 respectively 14 which are welded together and which are substantially U-shaped in cross-section with legs of unequal length. The legs of unequal length are moreover provided with bent edges 15, 16, 17 respectively 18 close to each of the outer ends.

Wall 10 is further constructed from wooden planks 20 provided with grooves 21 respectively 22 which are arranged close to each of the ends of planks 20 and which have a depth such that the bent ends of the U- shaped legs fit therein in the present embodiment 17 and 18.

In order to construct a wall 10 the plank parts can easily be pushed one by one into the profiles of posts 11 and 12, while, as is demonstrated, sufficient sturdiness is obtained. In the shown preferred embodiment wherein the grooves in the planks do not have to be arranged opposite each other, this sturdiness is further increased. In addition, this makes arranging of the plank parts easier.

A second wall part, which is for the greater part broken away in the figures, can be constructed between corner post 12 and end profile 31 (see also fig. 3), which in similar manner is substantially U-shaped in cross-section with sides 32 respectively 33 of unequal length and bent edges 34 respectively 35 into which planks 20 can be pushed.

Fig. 4 shows a second preferred embodiment 40 of a system according to the present invention in which wall elements 46 can be placed between end posts 41 respectively 42 and middle posts 43 respectively 44, which elements are provided with arched openings 47 for a fanciful appearance of a garden or the like. In comparable manner to the plank 20 of fig. 1, the wall construction parts 46 are provided with longitudinal grooves which can be arranged in fitting manner along the respective walls of the archway elements 47.

In the embodiment 50 of fig. 5, for instance for construction of a chalet -like holiday home, are shown an end profile 51, a corner profile 52 for making an angle between walls of about 135°, an intermediate profile 53 for supporting two walls mutually in line and a corner post 54, between each pair of which can be placed planks 55 which are provided with the relevant grooves close to each of the ends.

The present invention is not limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof; the rights applied for are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. A modification not intended as limitative relates to the addition in a determined application of one or more additional tubular elements in the connecting members between the profile parts of U-shaped cross-section.

Claims

1. Assembly for constructing a wall, for instance a fence, for a house, mobile home or- piece of furniture, comprising:

- a number of wall parts which are provided at both ends with grooves on either side; and

, - a connecting member with a centre part and two profile parts of U-shaped cross-section which protrude relative to the centre part, wherein the legs of the U have a bent outer end which fits inco the grooves in the wall parts.

2. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bent ends of the legs of each of the U-shaped profiles take a mutually staggered form.

3. Assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the wall parts are wooden planks into which a groove is milled.

4. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the wall parts are of metal, plastic or stone, or combinations thereof.

5. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-

4, wherein the connecting member is constructed from steel .

6. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-

5, wherein the connecting member is constructed from wood, plastic, stone or combinations thereof.

7. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-

6, wherein a first U is arranged roughly transversely of the second U.

8. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1- 7, wherein the two Us are arranged approximately mutually in line.

9. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1- 7, wherein the first U is arranged at an angle of about 135┬░ relative to the second U.

10. Building in which an assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-9 is incorporated.

11. Method for constructing a building, fence, caravan, shed or piece of furniture, wherein wall parts are pushed into a connecting member as claimed in any of the foregoing claims .