WO2001021899A1

WO2001021899A1 - Building kit

Info

Publication number: WO2001021899A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/001264
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert William Lambert
Original assignee: Fourie, Louis
Priority date: 1999-09-17
Filing date: 2000-09-07
Publication date: 2001-03-29
Also published as: AU6719300A

Abstract

The invention provides a foundation member (10). The foundation member (10) includes a prefabricated elongate body having an upper surface on which wall elements are supportable and an anchor formation at at least one end of the body (12). A wall element (100) is also provided. The wall element includes a prefabricated trapezoidal shaped body having two parallel side edges, a lower edge at right angles to the parallel edges and a sloping upper edge opposite the low edge. The invention also provides a method of building, a method of constructing a gable wall, a method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building wall, a post, a gable-topped wall, a tie member, and a building kit.

Description

BUILDING KIT

THIS INVENTION relates to building. In particular, it relates to a foundation member, a wall element, a method of building, a method of constructing a gable wall, a method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building wall, a post, a gable-topped wall, a tie member, and to a building kit.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a foundation member which includes a prefabricated elongate body having an upper surface on which wall elements are supportable and an anchor formation at at least one end of the body.

Typically, the foundation member has an anchor formation provided at each end of the body.

The foundation member may include a locating formation extending longitudinally along at least part of the upper surface. The locating formation may be in the form of a ridge, which in use is seated in a longitudinal groove in a lower edge of a wall element, thereby to locate the wall element in position on the foundation member.

The body is typically formed of a cementitious material. The anchor formation may be in the form of a hook projecting downwardly relative to the upper surface.

The body may include an elongate reinforcing rod embedded therein, the or each anchor formation being formed by an end portion of the rod protruding from the body.

Typically, the foundation member includes an additional elongate reinforcing rod embedded in the body at a position spaced from the first mentioned reinforcing rod.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a prefabricated trapezoidal shaped body having two parallel side edges, a lower edge at right angles to the parallel edges and a sloping upper edge opposite the lower edge.

The sloping upper edge may have a recess therein. The recess may be intermediate the ends of the sloping upper edge or it may be in the form of a rebate at an end of the sloping upper edge.

The wall element may include a centrally disposed longitudinal groove extending along its sloping upper edge.

The recess may have a depth greater than the depth of the groove.

The lower and side edges of the wall element may include locating formations to facilitate locating it in position in relation to other similar wall elements in the construction of a wall. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a building which includes the steps of locating a plurality of posts at spaced apart positions by means of foundation members extending between the posts; and supporting wall elements on the foundation members.

The method may include the steps of digging a trench and laying the foundation members in the trench.

The method may include supporting a plurality of prefabricated wall elements in courses on the foundation members to form intersecting walls between posts.

The method may include securing the upper ends of the posts together to maintain them in an upright position.

Typically, securing the upper ends of the posts together includes tying said upper ends together by means of elongate tie members. The method may then include first locating the tie members in longitudinal grooves provided in the upper edges of the wall elements in the uppermost course.

The upper ends of the posts may have threaded shanks projecting from them, and the tie members may have apertures at their ends. The method may then include positioning the apertures over the shanks, and screwing nuts onto the shanks to secure the ends of the tie members to the upper ends of the posts. According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing a gable-topped wall which includes locating a plurality of trapezoidal shaped prefabricated wall elements in an upper course of a wall such that the sloping edges of the elements are aligned and form the upper edge of the wall.

The wall elements may be positioned between two upright posts. The method may then include locating the wall elements between the posts and tying the upper ends of the posts together by means of an elongate tie member.

The method may include first locating the tie member in a longitudinal groove defined in the aligned sloping edges of the wall elements.

The upper ends of the posts may have threaded shanks projecting from them, and the tie member may have apertures at its ends. The method may then include positioning the apertures over the shanks, and then screwing nuts onto the shanks to secure the ends of the tie member to the upper ends of the posts.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a gable wall which includes an inclined upper edge defined by the upper edges of a plurality of prefabricated trapezoidal shaped wall elements.

According to still a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a gable wall having a sloping upper edge which includes at least one prefabricated trapezoidal shaped wall element supported by the horizontal upper surface of the wall such that the sloping edge of the trapezoidal shaped wall element is uppermost; and a pair of posts at the ends of the wall having their upper ends aligned with the sloping edge of the or each wall element; and a tie element interconnecting the upper ends of the posts.

The gable wall may include a centrally disposed groove extending longitudinally in the sloping upper edge of the or each trapezoidal shaped wall element, within which the tie element may be accommodated.

At least one of the wall elements may have a recess in its sloping upper edge within which an elongate roof support member extending transversely to the wall may be seated. The tie member may pass over the roof support member holding it captive in the recess.

The tie member may be accommodated in a transverse groove in the roof support member.

Interconnection between the tie member and the upper ends of the posts may be provided by having threaded shanks projecting beyond the upper ends of the posts and the tie member may be in the form of an elongate metal bar having an eye at each end, the eye being positioned over the shanks and being held down onto the end of a post by means of a screw-threaded nut. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building, the method including seating part of an elongate roof support member defining at least part of the roof support structure within a recess in an upper edge of a wall; and holding the member captive in the recess by a tie member extending over the roof support member, the tie member being secured to the wall at the ends thereof.

The walls may have upright posts at their ends. The method may then include securing the tie member to the posts.

The upper ends of the posts may have threaded shanks projecting from them, and the tie members may have apertures at their ends. The method may then include positioning the apertures over the shanks, and then screwing nuts onto the shanks to secure the ends of the tie members to the upper ends of the posts.

According to still a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a post which includes an elongate body having a top end and a bottom end, and adjacent the bottom end at least one complementary anchor formation with which an anchor formation of a foundation member as hereinbefore described, is engageable. The top end may have a screw-threaded shank to which an apertured end of a tie member may be secured by means of a nut.

The post may include an elongate reinforcing rod embedded in the body. The screw-threaded shank may then be formed by an end portion of the rod protruding from the body.

The body may have at least one side defining a locating formation.

The body may be of rectangular cross-section and may have four sides each of which defines a locating formation.

Each locating formation may be in the form of a groove extending at least partially along the length of a side.

The body may be made of a cementitious material.

According to still a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a tie member which includes an elongate body having apertures at its ends, the apertures being shaped and dimensioned to receive the screw-threaded shank of a post as hereinbefore described.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a building kit which includes prefabricated wall elements of cementitious material, the kit including an elongate foundation member having an engaging formation at each end; two posts mountable at each end of the foundation member, the posts having matching engaging formations at their bases for engagement with the engaging formations of the foundation member, for being located in position at the ends of the foundation member.

The engaging formations and the matching engaging formations may be in the form of hook and eye formations.

The eye formations may be provided on a post in opposed pairs at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the post, and the hooks may be directed downwardly at the ends of the foundation member relative to an upper surface of the foundation member.

The posts may have threaded shanks projecting axially at their upper ends, with co-operating nuts. The kit may include a further wall element in the form of an elongate tie member having eyes at its ends to accommodate the threaded shanks of the posts, whereby in use, the eyes of the tie member are screwed down onto the ends of the posts by the nuts on the threaded shanks.

At least some of the wall elements may be trapezoidal in shape.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows a side view of the foundation member in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the foundation member of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a section taken at Ill-Ill in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a post in accordance with the invention anchored to the foundation member of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of a wall in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 shows on an enlarged scale a detailed view of the encircled area VI in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows on an enlarged scale a detailed view of the encircled area VII in Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a section taken at VIII-VIII in Figure 5; and

Figure 9 shows a section taken at IX-IX in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a foundation member in accordance with the invention. The foundation member has a prefabricated elongate body

1 2. Typically, the body 1 2 is made of a cementitious material. The body 1 2 is 10 cm wide and has a depth of typically 1 5 cm. However, it is to be appreciated that dimensions and in particular the depth of the body 1 2 will vary depending on ground conditions. The body 1 2 is reinforced by means of steel rods 1 3 and 1 5 embedded therein. The body 12 has an upper surface 12.1 which is adapted to support a plurality of overlaid wall elements in the form of building panels 100 and 1 02 to 1 06 as can best be seen in Figure 5 of the drawings. The building panels 100 and 1 02 to 106 will be described in detail below. It is to be appreciated that the length of the body 1 2 may be varied depending on the number of panels 100 and 102 to 106 that are to be supported thereon. The body 1 2 has two ends 1 4 and 1 6. Each end 1 4, 1 6 has an anchor formation in the form of a downwardly directed hook 20 which protrudes therefrom. The hooks 20 are formed by ends of the rod 1 5 which protrude beyond the ends of the body 1 2. The function of the hooks 20 will be explained in detail below. The upper surface 1 2.1 of the foundation member 1 0 includes a locating formation in the form of a longitudinally extending centrally disposed elongate tongue or ridge 22 which extends for a major portion of the length of the upper surface 1 2.1 . The ridge 22 is V-shaped in cross-section and is adapted to engage tongue-and-groove fashion with a complementary groove in a lower edge of the building panels 1 00, thereby to locate the panels 100 in relation to the upper surface 1 2.1 in the construction of a wall.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, reference numeral 30 generally indicates an upright post or stanchion in accordance with the invention. The post 30 has an elongate body having a top end 38 and a bottom end 34 and is of square or rectangular cross-section having four sides. The body is made of a cementitious material having a centrally disposed steel reinforcing rod 33 embedded therein, extending substantially along its length. Each side has a centrally disposed locating formation in the form of an elongate groove 32 extending substantially along the length of the side. Each groove 32 is adapted to receive a complementary tongue provided on an edge of a building panel 1 00 and 1 02 to 106 to locate the building panels 100 and 1 02 to 106 tongue-and-groove fashion as described in more detail herebelow. Complementary anchor formations in the form of four apertures 36 (see Figure 4) are located adjacent the bottom end 34.

Each aperture 36 is shaped and dimensioned to receive a hook 20 of a foundation member 1 0 therein. The top has a screw-threaded shank 40 formed by an end portion of the rod 33 projecting from the body. In use, a tie element 50 is secured to the shank 40 as is described in greater detail below.

In accordance with the method of building of the invention, shallow trenches (not shown), typically about 7.5 cm deep are made in a square or rectangular configuration in the ground on which a building is to be constructed. A number of foundation members 1 0 are then laid in the trench, so as to define a foundation. Posts 30 are then anchored to the ends of adjacent foundation members 1 0 defining corners of the foundation by inserting the hooks 20 into the apertures 36.

A wall 42 (see Figure 5 of the drawings) is then built by laying the panels 1 00 and 102 to 106 in courses on the foundation members 10 between the posts 30, the locating formations of the foundation members 10 and the posts 30 serving to locate the panels 100 and 102 to 106 in position.

The building panels 100 are rectangular whereas the building panels 1 02 to 1 06 are trapezoidal in shape each having two parallel side edges, a lower edge at right angles to the parallel edges and a sloping upper edge (indicated by reference numeral 102.1 , 104.1 and 1 06.1 , respectively) opposite the lower edge. The panels 100 and 1 02 to 106 are prefabricated from a cementitious material and have locating formations along their edges to help locate them relative to the foundation members 10 and posts 30 and relative to adjacent panels. The locating formations are in the form of tongues and complementary grooves. The sloping upper edge 1 02.1 , 104.1 and 1 06.1 , each have an elongate longitudinally extending centrally disposed groove. The panels 1 02 and 1 06 have recesses in the form of rebates 102.2 and 106.2 located at one end of the sloping edges 102.1 and 106.1 respectively. The panel 104 has a recess 104.2 located in the sloping edges 104.1 intermediate its ends.

In accordance with the method of constructing a gable- topped wall in accordance with the invention, the building panels 102 to 106 are located in an upper course of the wall 42 such that the sloping edges 102.1 to 106.1 are aligned to form the upper edge of the wall 42.

The panels 102 to 106 are secured by the tie member 50 extending across the gable top between posts 30 located at the ends of the wall 42.

The tie member 50 is in the form of a flat 3 cm x 1 .2 cm steel bar having eyes at each end for receiving the screw-threaded shank

40 of a post 30 therein. The tie member 50 is secured to the posts 30 by means of screw-threaded nuts 44 screwed onto the shanks 40.

The construction of the wall 42 also embodies the method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building in accordance with the invention. In accordance with the method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building elongate roof support members in the form of beams 60 are seated in the recesses 1 02.2 to 106.2 so that transverse grooves in the roof support members 60 are aligned with the grooves in the sloping edges 102.1 to 106.1 thereby to form a substantially continuous groove extending across the top of the wall 42 within which the tie member 50 is accommodated. Thereafter, the tie member 50 is secured to the posts 30 at the ends of the wall 42 in the manner described above. The tie member 50 thus holds the roof support members 60 captive in the recesses 1 02.2, 1 04.2 and 1 06.2.

Existing building techniques of which the Inventor is aware require a foundation to be cast in situ and allowed to set before a building can be erected thereon. This leads to an increase in the time required to erect the building. Accordingly, the Inventor believes that it is an advantage of a foundation member of the invention that it is prefabricated and can be used in the construction of a building immediately, without requiring time to set. Further, the invention provides posts which can be anchored to the foundation members without special tools e.g. spirit levels. The invention also provides a relatively inexpensive and convenient method of constructing a gable- topped wall and a method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building. A tie member and a building kit are also provided for use with the methods of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A foundation member which includes a prefabricated elongate body having an upper surface on which wall elements are supportable and an anchor formation at at least one end of the body.

2. A foundation member as claimed in Claim 1 , in which an anchor formation is provided at each end of the body.

3. A foundation member as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, which includes a locating formation extending longitudinally along at least part of the upper surface.

4. A foundation member as claimed in Claim 3, in which the locating formation is in the form of a ridge.

5. A foundation member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body is formed of a cementitious material.

6. A foundation member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each anchor formation is in the form of a hook projecting downwardly relative to the upper surface.

7. A foundation member as claimed in Claim 6, which includes an elongate reinforcing rod embedded in the body, the or each anchor formation being formed by an end portion of the rod protruding from the body.

8. A foundation member as claimed in Claim 7, which includes an additional elongate reinforcing rod embedded in the body at a position spaced from the first mentioned reinforcing rod.

9. A wall element which includes a prefabricated trapezoidal shaped body having two parallel side edges, a lower edge at right angles to the parallel edges and a sloping upper edge opposite the lower edge

1 0. A wall element as claimed in Claim 9, in which the sloping upper edge has a recess therein.

1 1 . A wall element as claimed in Claim 1 0, in which the recess is intermediate the ends of the sloping upper edge.

1 2. A wall element as claimed in Claim 1 0, in which the recess is in the form of a rebate at an end of the sloping upper edge.

1 3. A wall element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 0 to 1 2 inclusive, which includes a centrally disposed longitudinal groove extending along its sloping upper edge.

1 4. A wall element as claimed in Claim 1 3, in which the recess has a depth greater than the depth of the groove.

1 5. A wall element as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14, inclusive, in which the lower and side edges include locating formations.

1 6. A method of constructing a building which includes the steps of locating a plurality of posts at spaced apart positions by means of foundation members extending between the posts; and supporting wall elements on the foundation members.

1 7. A method as claimed in Claim 1 6, which includes the steps of digging a trench; and laying the foundation members in the trench.

1 8. A method as claimed in Claim 1 6 or Claim 1 7, which includes supporting a plurality of prefabricated wall elements in courses on the foundation members to form intersecting walls between posts.

1 9. A method as claimed in Claim 1 8, which includes securing the upper ends of the posts together to maintain them in an upright position.

20. A method as claimed in claim 1 9, in which securing the upper ends of the posts together includes tying said upper ends together by means of elongate tie members.

21 . A method as claimed in Claim 20, which includes first locating the tie members in longitudinal grooves provided in upper edges of the wall elements in the uppermost course.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21 in which the upper ends of the posts have threaded shanks projecting from them, and in which the tie members have apertures at their ends, the method then including positioning the apertures over the shanks, and screwing nuts onto the shanks to secure the ends of the tie members to the upper ends of the posts.

23. A method of constructing a gable-topped wall which includes locating a plurality of trapezoidal shaped prefabricated wall elements in an upper course of a wall such that the sloping edges of the elements are aligned and form the upper edge of the wall.

24. A method as claimed in Claim 23, in which the wall elements are positioned between two upright posts, the method then including locating the wall elements between the posts and tying the upper ends of the posts together by means of an elongate tie member.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 24, which includes first locating the tie member in a longitudinal groove defined in the aligned sloping edges of the wall elements.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 25, in which the upper ends of the posts have threaded shanks projecting from them, and in which the tie member has apertures at its ends, the method then including positioning the apertures over the shanks, and then screwing nuts onto the shanks to secure the ends of the tie member to the upper ends of the posts.

27. A gable wall which includes an inclined upper edge defined by the upper edges of a plurality of prefabricated trapezoidal shaped wall elements.

28. A gable wall having a sloping upper edge which includes at least one prefabricated trapezoidal shaped wall element supported by the horizontal upper surface of a wall such that the sloping edge of the trapezoidal shaped wall element is uppermost; a pair of posts at the ends of the wall having their upper ends aligned with the sloping edge of the or each wall element; and a tie member interconnecting the upper ends of the posts.

29. A gable wall as claimed in Claim 28, in which there is provided a centrally disposed groove extending longitudinally in the sloping upper edge of the or each trapezoidal shaped wall element within which the tie element is accommodated.

30. A gable wall as claimed in Claim 28 or 29, in which at least one of the wall elements has a recess in its sloping upper edge within which an elongate roof support member extending transversely to the wall is seated.

31 . A gable wall as claimed in Claim 30, in which the tie member passes over the roof support member holding it captive in the recess.

32. A gable wall as claimed in Claim 31 , in which the roof support member is accommodated in a transverse groove in the roof support member.

33. A gable wall as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to 32, inclusive, in which the interconnection between the tie member and the upper ends of the posts is provided by having threaded shanks projected beyond the upper ends of the posts and in which the tie member is in the form of an elongate metal bar having an eye at each end, the eye being positioned over the shanks and being held down onto the end of a post by means of a screw-threaded nut.

34. A method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building, the method including seating part of an elongate roof support member defining at least part of the roof support structure within a recess in an upper edge of a wall; and holding the member captive in the recess by a tie member extending over the roof support member, the tie member being secured to the wall at the ends thereof.

35. A method as claimed in Claim 34, in which the tie member is accommodated in a transverse groove in the roof support member.

36. A method as claimed in Claim 35, in which the walls have upright posts at their ends, the method then including securing the tie member to the posts.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 36, in which the upper ends of the posts have threaded shanks projecting from them, and in which the tie members have apertures at their ends, the method then including positioning the apertures over the shanks, and then screwing nuts onto the shanks to secure the ends of the tie members to the upper ends of the posts.

38. A post which includes an elongate body having a top end and a bottom end, and adjacent the bottom end at least one complementary anchor formation with which an anchor formation of a foundation member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, inclusive, is engageable.

39. A post as claimed in Claim 38, in which the top end has a screw-threaded shank to which an apertured end of a tie member may be secured by means of a nut.

40. A post as claimed in Claim 39, which includes an elongate reinforcing rod embedded in the body, the screw-threaded shank being forming by an end portion of the rod protruding from the body.

41 . A post as claimed in any one of Claims 38 to 40, inclusive, in which the body has at least one side defining a locating formation.

42. A post as claimed in Claim 41 , in which the body has a rectangular cross-section and has four sides each of which defines a locating formation.

43. A post as claimed in Claim 41 or Claim 42, in which the or each locating formation is in the form of a groove extending at least partially along the length of a side.

44. A post as claimed in any one of Claims 38 to 43, inclusive, in which the body is made of a cementitious material.

45. A tie member which includes an elongate body having apertures at its ends, the apertures being shaped and dimensioned to receive the screw-threaded shank of a post as claimed in Claim 39 or Claim 40.

46. A building kit which includes prefabricated wall elements of cementitious material, the kit including an elongate foundation member having an engaging formation at each end; and two posts mountable at each end of the foundation member, the posts having matching engaging formations at their bases for engagement with the engaging formations of the foundation member, for being located in position at the ends of the foundation member.

47. A kit as claimed in Claim 46, in which the engaging formations and matching engaging formations are hook-and-eye formations.

48. A kit as claimed in Claim 46, in which the eye formations are provided on a post in opposed pairs at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the post, and hooks are directed downwardly at the ends of the foundation member relative to an upper surface of the foundation member.

49. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 46 to 48, inclusive, in which the posts have threaded shanks projecting axially at their upper ends, with co-operating nuts, and in which there is provided a further wall element in the form of an elongate tie member having eyes at its ends, to accommodate the threaded shanks of the posts, whereby in use, the eyes of the tie member, are screwed down onto the ends of the posts by the nuts on the threaded shanks.

50. A building kit as claimed in any one of Claims 46 to 49, inclusive, in which at least some of the wall elements are trapezoidal in shape.

51 . A foundation member, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

52. A wall element, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

53. A method of constructing a building, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

54. A method of constructing a gable-topped wall, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

55. A gable wall, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

56. A method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

57. A post, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

58. A tie member, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

59. A building kit, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

60. A new foundation member, wall element, method of building, method of constructing a gable wall, method of anchoring a roof support structure to a building wall, post, gable-topped wall, tie member, or building kit, substantially as herein described.