WO2005051123A2 - Procede et appareil de formation de structures de construction - Google Patents

Procede et appareil de formation de structures de construction Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005051123A2
WO2005051123A2 PCT/US2004/038841 US2004038841W WO2005051123A2 WO 2005051123 A2 WO2005051123 A2 WO 2005051123A2 US 2004038841 W US2004038841 W US 2004038841W WO 2005051123 A2 WO2005051123 A2 WO 2005051123A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
generation
lobe
lobes
axis
modules
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Application number
PCT/US2004/038841
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2005051123A3 (fr
Inventor
David Paul Horowitz
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David Paul Horowitz
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Publication date
Application filed by David Paul Horowitz filed Critical David Paul Horowitz
Publication of WO2005051123A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005051123A2/fr
Publication of WO2005051123A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005051123A3/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2/04—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements
    • E04B2/12—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements using elements having a general shape differing from that of a parallelepiped
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2/04—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements
    • E04B2/06—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements using elements having specially-designed means for stabilising the position
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C1/00—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings
    • E04C1/39—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra
    • E04C1/395—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra for claustra, fences, planting walls, e.g. sound-absorbing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0202—Details of connections
    • E04B2002/0243—Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins or keys
    • E04B2002/0245—Pegs or pins
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0256—Special features of building elements
    • E04B2002/0263—Building elements for making angled walls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to building modules, and, more particularly, to the provision of stackable modules, connectable so as to permit rotational interlocking of the modules to form a structure with any desired angle or curve.
  • RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to provisional application S N 60/523,489 filed November 19, 2003 entitled “Method And Apparatus For Forming And Building Structures" to which priority under 35 USC ⁇ 119 is claimed.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many block construction systems are known. Bricks are known for their use in the construction of buildings. Conventional bricks have been made of clay or other similar material, in solid form.
  • bricks require overlapping courses during construction.
  • brick walls lack resistance to external forces (e.g., earthquakes and/or impacts) in part due to the lack of structural interconnection between individual bricks.
  • Improvements have included the use of concrete to form blocks, which has allowed fabrication of several varieties of hollow bricks. Such blocks generally have cylindrical chambers in the interior area of the brick. To achieve structural rigidity, walls made with such bricks are often constructed over reinforcing rods.
  • Such concrete building blocks are widely used in the construction of a variety of structures. A major use of such blocks is the building of temporary or permanent retaining walls. These blocks commonly have interlocking upper and lower surfaces in order to automatically interlock one block when positioned atop another block.
  • This automatic interlocking allows the walls to be built without mortar and to permit the walls to be disassembled, if desired.
  • Square, rectangular, and angle-shaped building blocks including interlocking square-like projections and recesses are known, > which allow for mortar-less stackability, but require the use of angle blocks, or special curved pieces, to achieve an angled or curved wall.
  • Tiles having a plurality of equally spaced through apertures, and side and corner notches are also known, where the tiles have diagonal grooves on one side and diagonal ribs on the other.
  • the grooves and ribs extend between adjacent apertures.
  • Another known type of brick is that of octagonal, hollow bricks with recesses in their bottom surfaces and ribs in their upper surfaces. Such structure creates apertures from end to end and side to side. With rectangular bricks, when a corner with an angle of other than 90 degrees is desired, there is typically an angular gap or overlaps at that corner.
  • walls are made of hollow bricks, they can be reinforced with rods or posts or filled with concrete or both. None of the above listed innovations is intended to be used in this way.
  • none of the above listed innovations interlocks in two different planes.
  • none of the above listed innovations provides interconnecting passageways in two planes.
  • Development of a hollow brick which interlocks in two different planes with interconnecting passageways in two different planes represents a further improvement.
  • Such design provides a one-piece concrete building block that can form a wall configuration of many varied angles and/or curves, thus, providing greater design flexibility and improved inventory control.
  • Most of these known systems do not curve, have a limited curve range, or the curve is angular (i.e., at predetermined fixed angular intervals) instead of rounded.
  • Some of these blocks are "gear” shaped or “toothed,” making fabrication far more expensive and difficult to produce, as well as limiting the type of materials that units can be produced in.
  • These blocks are not complementary in shape (e.g., oval or rectangle), therefore, cannot be closely stacked, e.g., for shipping or maintained in storage as inventory.
  • Many of these know systems have some inherent instability because they have no method of self-attachment (interconnection), for example, where only one hole is provided in the center of the unit and the bricks cannot be interlocked in building.
  • Some of these systems are configured such that, when assembled, there is a resulting gap between each block.
  • an interconnectable module comprises a top surface having a perimeter boundary portion, a bottom surface having a perimeter boundary portion, with the bottom surface spaced away from and substantially parallel to the top surface.
  • the interconnectalble module also comprises a sidewall surface disposed between and continuous with the perimeter boundary portions of the top and bottom surfaces.
  • the top, bottom, and sidewall surfaces define a plurality of lobe portions, each lobe portion characterized by a cylindrical shape having a respective axis of generation substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surface, with each of the cylindrical shapes having a substantially equal radius of curvature about the respective axes of generation.
  • the sidewall surface comprises a plurality of convex cylindrical segments corresponding to the lobes, and a plurality of concave cylindrical segments disposed between and continuous with the convex cylindrical segments and having a second radius of curvature substantially equal to the first radius of curvature.
  • an interconnection mechanism is disposed about the axis of generation at the top surface and/or the bottom surface.
  • the axis of generation defining the concave cylindrical segment is equidistant from each of the axes of generation of the lobes joined by the concave cylindrical segment.
  • the shapes/geometry are arranged and designed to stack either directly on top of one another or, in a staggered and offset fashion, as constructed.
  • the system of the present invention in a preferred embodiment includes four (4) shape varied modules with different connection methods to effect flexible functionality.
  • the modules of the present invention can encapsulate a hollow volume so as to be used as tillable stacking volumetric containers.
  • Two methods of module interconnection include interlocking through a pin and hole system and a collar into sleeve connection.
  • the pin and hole system can further be enhanced to screw down and lock into position. This allows structures more stability as the height increases.
  • the present invention provides an interlocking, curving block construction system that employs an interlocking stacking method of construction.
  • the shapes/geometry are arranged and designed to stack either directly on top of one another or, in a staggered and offset fashion, as constructed.
  • the system of the present invention in a preferred embodiment includes four (4) shape varied modules with different connection methods to effect flexible functionality.
  • a preferred working geometry has four profile shapes:
  • the geometry of the modules/blocks is based on circles/cylinders of the same diameter that tangentially contact when assembled.
  • the circles/cylinders range from a single circle with no tangent circle/cylinder attached, to a quad shape with four circle/cylinders. In the quad, two circles touch on three tangents, and the other two shapes touch on two tangents.
  • the perimeter outline of the blocks uses concave and convex curves of matching diameters, positioned on the tangent. This configuration allows each unit of any of the four shape variations to fit against each other (side by side, perfect spooning position). Additionally this provides maximum swing and stackablity.
  • the major advantages of incorporating the four profile shapes are:
  • Figs. 1 A, B and C illustrate a plan, elevation sectional and orthogonal projection view, respectively, of a single lobe module of according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • Figs. 2 A, B and C illustrate a plan, elevation sectional and orthogonal projection view, respectively, of a double lobe module of according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • Figs. 3 A, B and C illustrate a plan, elevation sectional and orthogonal projection view, respectively, of a three lobe tri-module of according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • Figs. 4 A, B and C illustrate a plan, elevation sectional and orthogonal projection view, respectively, of a four lobe quad-module of according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • Figs. 5 A, B and C illustrate alternative embodiments of the linear module according to Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 6 illustrates alternative embodiments of the modules according to the present invention for weight and material savings;
  • Figs. 7 A and B illustrate one embodiment of the pin/hole securing mechanism for inter-connecting modules of the present invention (example shown as applied to the module of Fig. 1);
  • Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of two modules of the present invention interlocked using the pin/hole securing mechanism of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 7 A and B;
  • Figs. 9 A and B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the pin/hole securing mechanism for inter-connecting modules of the present invention (example shown as applied to the module of Fig. 1);
  • FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of two modules of the present invention interlocked using the pin/hole securing mechanism of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 9 A and B;
  • Fig. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the pin/hole securing mechanism for inter-connecting modules of the present invention of Fig. 10;
  • Fig. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the pin/hole securing mechanism for inter-connecting modules of the present invention of Fig. 11 ;
  • Fig. 13 shows an illustrative stacked concatenated structure formed using modules of the present invention;
  • Figs. 14 A, B and C illustrate a plan, elevation sectional and orthogonal projection view, respectively, of a single lobe cap module of according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and as shown in Fig.
  • Figs. 15 A, B and C illustrate a plan, elevation sectional and orthogonal projection view, respectively, of a double lobe cap module of according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and as shown in Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 16 shows an illustrative embodiment of the interlocking of modules according to the present invention;
  • Figs. 17 A, B and C illustrate a plan, elevation sectional and orthogonal projection view, respectively, the sleeve joint mechanism for inter-connecting modules of the present invention (example shown as applied to the module of Fig. 2).
  • Figs. 18-22 each show alternative illustrative embodiments of the double lobe modules according to the present invention; and Figs.
  • FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate four profile shape embodiments of a preferred working geometry:
  • the geometry of the modules/blocks is based on circles/cylinders of the same diameter that tangentially contact when assembled.
  • the circles/cylinders range from a single circle with no tangent circle/cylinder attached, to a quad shape with four circle/cylinders. In the quad, two circles touch on three tangents, and the other two shapes touch on two tangents.
  • the perimeter outline of the blocks uses concave and convex curves of matching diameters, positioned on the tangent. This configuration allows each unit of any of the four shape variations to fit against each other (side by side, perfect spooning position). Additionally this provides maximum swing and stackability.
  • the curved/cylindrical geometry of the sidewalls provides the modules with greater sidewall surface area, which may be advantageous in various applications.
  • the interconnection mechanisms allow for permanent assembly or dismantleability/disassembly of a structure, and reuse of the modules.
  • a system of modules/blocks according to the present invention is scalable, capable of being implemented at any size suitable for the desired application or design.
  • the modules/blocks can be formed from any material that provides the desired properties or characteristics (e.g., strength, stiffness, mass, appearance, etc.) for the given application or design, such materials including, for example, concrete, metal, wood, plastics, resins, etc.
  • Figures 1A, IB and 1C illustrate views of a single lobe module 10 of the present invention.
  • the module is cylindrical in shape, having a diameter d, a height h, and a bore b formed coaxially about the cylindrical axis of rotation of the module and extending between and through a first surface 12 and opposing second surface 14 of the module.
  • Surfaces 12 and 14 are substantially planar and, as will be explained further below, structural protrusions may extend away from the surface (e.g., above the upper surface and/or below the lower surface) in the vicinity of the bore perimeter to facilitate interconnection of the lobe module to another module.
  • first surface 12 and opposing surface 14, as well as their corresponding surfaces for the modules depicted in the other figures hereinbelow, may also generally be referred to respectively as top and bottom surfaces or as upper and lower surfaces, although no preferred spatial orientation is intended by such nomenclature.
  • the surface disposed between and joining the upper and lower surfaces is referred to as the sidewall surface.
  • this sidewall surface is a cylindrical surface.
  • bore b is provided as an interconnection mechanism allowing module 10 to be interconnected with at least one other module, for example, by inserting into one end of bore b a pin structure that also similarly engages another module having one or more lobes. A pin may also be inserted in the other end of bore b to engage yet another module having one or more lobes.
  • the bore may not traverse the entire module. For instance, two separate bores may be formed from the top and bottom surfaces, each bore being coaxial with the axis of rotation of the lobe, or only a single coaxial bore may be formed to a depth less than h through only one of the top and bottom surfaces.
  • module 10 may include a collar that is a coaxial with the lobe axis of rotation and protrudes from either the top or bottom surface, with the opposing surface either not including any interconnection mechanism (e.g., for modules to be used as cap units) or having a coaxially disposed complementary bore (i.e., such complementary bore herein referred to as a sleeve, to denote that it is a bore that mates with a complementary collar formed on the modules).
  • a sleeve to denote that it is a bore that mates with a complementary collar formed on the modules.
  • various alternative module embodiments may implement interconnection mechanisms such that a bore may have a diameter that varies in the axial direction (e.g., the bore may be formed to have two portions having different diameters).
  • the bore and/or associated interconnection mechanism is described and/or shown as being formed substantially at the lobe centers (e.g., coaxially about the cylindrical axis of rotation of the module), the bore and/or associated interconnection mechanism need not be centered with respect to a lobe. That is, alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention may include one or more modules (e.g., single, double, tri-shape, quad-shape, other linear shapes,etc.) having one or more of the bores of the module offset from the central axis/axes of the lobe(s).
  • modules e.g., single, double, tri-shape, quad-shape, other linear shapes,etc.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate views of a double lobe module 20 of the present invention.
  • the module integrates two single lobe modules of Figure 1 in an integral double lobe module with the two lobes each having diameter d as shown, and with two integrating concave curves each with a radius of curvature I equal to d/2. Referring to the contour around the sidewall surface as depicted in Fig.
  • each lobe has a bore b located in the center of each lobe; more specifically, in three dimensions, each bore is coaxially formed about the cylindrical axis of rotation for the lobe.
  • the centers of the lobes are separated from each other in the plane of the page by a straight line distance equal to d.
  • the lobes are herein said to be tangential insofar as two imaginary circles of diameters d respectively centered about the center of the respective lobes are tangential to each other, touching each other at the half-way point along a line connecting their centers.
  • the center point defining the radius of curvature is separated from the center of each lobe in the plane of the page by a straight line distance equal to d.
  • each curved integrating concave curve joins each lobe arc at a point where an imaginary circle of diameter d centered about the center of the lobe (i.e., a circle defining the lobe arc) and an imaginary circle of diameter d centered about the center defining the concave integrating segment are tangent to each other.
  • each of the integrating concave curve segments is herein said to be tangential to the lobes it joins.
  • FIG. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate views of a triple lobe module 30 of the present invention.
  • the module integrates three single lobe modules of Figure 1 in an integral triple lobe module with diameters d d 3 as shown and an integrating concave curves each with a radius of curvature I.
  • Each lobe has a bore located in the center of each lobe.
  • the center of each lobe i.e., corresponding to the lobe's cylindrical axis of generation/rotation
  • the lobes are thus referred to as being tangential to each other.
  • the center point defining the radius of curvature is separated from the center of each lobe that the integrating concave curve segment joins by a straight line distance equal to d. That is, for each integrating curve segment, the center point defining the radius of curvature is equidistant by straight line distance d to the centers of the lobes joined by the integrating curve segment.
  • each of the integrating concave curve segments may be said to be tangentially joined with the lobes it joins.
  • Tri-shape module provides for additional flexibility in fabricating structures.
  • the Tri-shape module can be used to structurally interconnect three walls constructed along three different directions.
  • the Tri-shape module can be used to structurally interconnect adjacent layers of a multi-layer (i.e., two or more layers) wall where the modules of a given wall layer are spooned with the modules of an adjoining wall layer.
  • Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate views of a quad lobe module 40 of the present invention. The module integrates four single lobe modules of Figure 1 in an integral quad lobe module with diameters D !
  • each of two opposing lobes are tangential to each other and to each of the two other neighboring lobes (i.e., shown as the lobes identified by diameters Di and D 3 ).
  • These latter two other lobes are thus not tangential to each other, though they are, as described, each tangential with the former two opposing lobes that are tangential to each other (i.e., shown as the lobes identified by diameters D 2 and D 4 ).
  • each integrating concave curve segment in the sidewall contour is tangentially joined with the lobes it joins.
  • quad-shaped modules provide yet further flexibility in fabricating structures. For instance, the quad-shape module can be used to structurally interconnect four walls constructed along three different directions.
  • the quad-shape module can be used to structurally interconnect adjacent layers of a multi-layer (e.g., three or more layers) wall where the modules of a given wall layer are spooned with the modules of an adjoining wall layer.
  • Figure 5 shows alternative embodiments of linear multiple lobe modules, showing a three lobe linear module (5A), a four lobe linear module (5B), and a five lobe linear module (5C).
  • the cylindrical axes of generation for each of the lobes are substantially coplanar, and adjacent lobes are tangential to each other. Further, each of the integrating concave curve segments is tangentially joined with the lobes it joins.
  • each lobe may be characterized by a cylindrical axis of generation that is perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the module, and the sidewall surface around the module may thus be described with respect to the surfaces of cylindrical segments of the lobes and the surfaces of integrating cylindrical segments between the lobes.
  • each of the two end lobe portions of the sidewall surface are defined by a convex cylindrical surface segment of the lobe, whereas each of the two portions of the sidewall surfaces between the lobes are defined by a concave cylindrical surface segment.
  • Figure 6 shows alternative embodiments that include interior volumetric voids in modules of the present invention that, if left empty, provide for weight savings, and can also be filled, for example with water, for added mass, or for storage. In certain applications where wall strength is important, during construction, the voids can be filled with concrete. These voids also facilitate providing conduits, for example, for running electrical cable, water pipes, etc.
  • Figure 7A and 7B there is shown an illustrative pin and bore interconnection mechanism, which allows for interlocking discrete modules with excellent stability and installation flexibility to form a desired structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7A shows a top and side view of a single module having a center bore b disposed coaxially with the axis of generation for the lobe.
  • the center bore b has a shoulder area b s on both the upper and lower sides of the module, and an interior area bj through the module.
  • the shoulder b s has a depth S and a diameter OD which is greater than the diameter ID of the interior bore b;.
  • a pin P with a collar 110 (e.g., the collar being integral to the pin) is fashioned to mate to bore b.
  • pin P has a diameter ID, mating to the diameter of the interior bore b;
  • collar 110 has a diameter OD, mating to the diameter of the shoulder b s .
  • the pin P may be solid or hollow.
  • the pin height H p may be equal to, but preferably is slightly less than the height H of the module.
  • Figure 8 depicts a cross sectional side view of a portion two staggered double lobe modules 20 joined by the pin and hole mechanism described with reference to Figures 7 A and 7B. More specifically, the view of Figure 8 is a cross section in the plane defined by the cylindrical axes of rotation for the two lobes, and it can be seen how lower pin P is inserted into the bores of lobe modules 20 to form an interconnection.
  • FIG. 9A shows a top and side view of a single module having a center bore b disposed coaxially with the axis of generation for the lobe.
  • the center bore b has a retainer/stop area b s located half-way into the bore, and an interior area bj of diameter OD through the remainder of module.
  • retainer/stop b s is shown as being circular in shape, it can be any shape provided it stops pin P from being able to pass through the bore beyond the location of the retainer/stop.
  • retainer/stop b s may alternatively be provided as one or more pin-like shapes, or may extend continuously across the entire lateral bore (i.e., perpendicular to the cylindrical axis), dividing the bore into two separate bores (i.e., one bore above the stop and one bore below the retainer/stop).
  • pin P is shown as cylindrical in shape, and having an outer diameter fashioned to mate to bore b. Specifically, pin P has a diameter substantially equal to OD such that the pin mates to the diameter of the interior bore b;.
  • the pin diameter may be somewhat smaller than the diameter of the interior bore provided that the retainer/stop prevents the pin from being able to pass through the bore beyond the location of the stop, as noted above.
  • the pin height H p may be equal to, but preferably is slightly less than the difference between the height H L of the module and the height (i.e., in the axial direction) of the retainer/stop.
  • Figure 10 depicts a cross sectional side view of a portion two staggered double lobe modules 20 joined by the pin and hole mechanism described with reference to Figures 9 A and 9B. More specifically, it can be seen how the pins P are inserted into the bores of lobe modules 20 to form an interconnection, and abut against the retainers/stops.
  • Figure 11 shows an alternative pin mechanism that may be implemented as variations of the basic pin and hole mechanisms shown in Figures 7-10.
  • the pins of Figures 7A and 9A may be implemented as hollow structures having interior threads.
  • Such pins would be used to interconnect modules as shown in Figures 8 and 10, and after insertion would be engaged by a threaded rod to join vertically adjacent pins to provide additional structural support.
  • Figure 11 schematically depicts pins Pl t and P2 t , each having interior threads into which threaded rod R t would be threaded.
  • such threaded interconnection of pins may alternatively be provided by implementing the pins P as bolt-like structures, with one end (shown as the top end) having a female threaded portion P ft and the other end (shown as the bottom end) having a male threaded portion P mt .
  • the male threaded portion of one pin is threaded into the female threaded portion of a vertically adjacent pin, thus joining the pins.
  • a pin need not be inserted into every bore of the modules: e.g., some bores need not be interconnected to another module.
  • FIG 13 illustrates an example of a serpentine wall 200 construction using modules 10 and 20 of the present invention.
  • the modules are arranged in a staggered fashion, connected using the pin/hole mechanism of the present invention.
  • blocks at the top of the wall, 10C and 20C are cap modules, which, as shown in detail in Figures 14 and 15, have a solid surface on the top of the module yet have a partial bore b p and only one bore shoulder b s .
  • any module can be rotated about 360° relative to a directly mated module. Additionally, because of the circular/cylindrical geometry of the lobes and integrating curves and the centered location of the interconnection mechanism, the distance between the centers of two modules touching on their sidewalls is independent of the relative angle or positioning between the modules.
  • FIG. 16 schematically illustrates the top view of a portion of a wall incorporating tri lobe modules 30 to seamlessly form walls in multiple intersecting planes.
  • the tri lobe modules 30 are shown attached only to double lobe modules 20, any of the other module types described hereinabove may be joined to trilobe modules 30 or otherwise included within the walls structure.
  • any of a variety of interconnect mechanisms may be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the present invention to allow a wide range of continuous, infinitely variable rotation (as opposed to discrete allowed rotation positions) about the cylindrical axis of the interconnected lobes of two modules.
  • Figures 17A-C depict another possible such interconnection mechanism, referred to herein as a sleeve joint or sleeve interconnection, implemented, by way of example, with a double lobe module, shown in 17 A, 17B, and 17C in top, side, and isometric views, respectively.
  • this interconnection mechanism may be implemented with any of the other types of modules according to the present invention.
  • each lobe of the double lobe module includes a sleeve portion that protrudes above the top surface circumferentially about the cylindrical axis of rotation.
  • Each lobe of the double lobe module also includes a collar portion recessed into the bore from the bottom surface.
  • the collar portion is complementary to the sleeve portion to provide for mating of the sleeve into the collar.
  • this sleeve joint does not require pins and thus allows a large interior portion of the module to be hollow.
  • the large hollow bores are well suited for running conduit (e.g., electrical wires).
  • Figs. 18-22 each show alternative illustrative embodiments of the double lobe modules according to the present invention.
  • Some advantageous features of the modules as can understood from the drawings herein include, but are not limited to the following. While the modules can be made of solid material such as wood or plastic, the modules can be formed as a layered composition as shown in Figure 18. The module exterior can be left so that the underlying material is displayed, as illustrated in Fig. 18, where the layered wood is visible. Alternatively, artistic or design finishes can be applied to the module exteriors as shown in Figs, 19, 20 and 21.
  • FIG. 21 additionally illustrates pins inserted into the module bores.
  • Fig. 22 illustrates a double lobe module formed of concrete which can be used in many varied applications such as structural, e.g., wall building, or decorative.
  • Figs. 23-40 each show embodiments of modules used in forming illustrative structures.
  • the modules and module system of the present invention have usability in a virtually unlimited number of applications, both structural and decorative.
  • a non-exclusive list of some such usages of the present invention are as follows:
  • the modules can be used for structural applications as shown in the stairs of Fig. 25, as depending on scale, Fig. 25 can be a piece of artwork as well, without practical utility.
  • the modules can be used to form a lamp as illustrated in Fig.
  • the tables shown in Figs. 24, 26, 36 and 40 use exposed, unmated pins (as shown in FIG 21), as supports for another superimposed structure.
  • a glass table top is supported; in Fig. 26 a solid table top; and in Fig. 40, a solid wood top.
  • the modules can be used to form modular wall sections or partitions and can further support shelving as shown in Fig. 26. Alternatively the modules may be used individually for a variety of applications or in other decorative manner such as shown in Figs. 32 and 36.
  • the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof.
  • the outer diameter of the pins may be designed to have a predetermined offset from the inner diameter of the bore by an offset amount greater than the minimum amount required for fitting the pin into the bore.
  • the tolerances allowed for providing nominally tangential and equal diameter lobes and integrating curves may vary. It should further be understood, therefore, that the foregoing and many various modifications, omissions and additions may be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne des modules complémentaires. Quatre modules de base comporte un lobe unique, un lobe double, un lobe triple et un lobe quadruple. D'autres profils de formes de modules additionnels peuvent être créés. Chaque module peut avoir n'importe quelle dimension ou taille et peut être fabriqué à base de divers matériaux convenant à une application particulière. Les modules peuvent être utilisés comme blocs de construction à emboîtements afin de créer des parois ou objets internes ou externes, ainsi que des surfaces de différentes hauteurs et longueurs. Les modules s'emboîtent par un système de trou de cheville, ce qui permet à une construction de s'incurver, et de créer une surface conforme aux contours et variations dans un espace. Un emboîtement de joint chevauché à manchon offre une solution de rechange au système de trou de cheville. De plus, on peut utiliser ces modules pour gainer des colonnes, et construire des meubles, des sections de parois modulaires et des rayonnages, ainsi que pour l'entreposage à sec ou humide; enfin, on peut facilement les empiler aux fins d'un entreposage à grande échelle.
PCT/US2004/038841 2003-11-19 2004-11-19 Procede et appareil de formation de structures de construction WO2005051123A2 (fr)

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US52348903P 2003-11-19 2003-11-19
US60/523,489 2003-11-19

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WO2005051123A3 WO2005051123A3 (fr) 2006-01-05

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2603200A (en) * 2021-02-02 2022-08-03 Mckie Mark A modular construction block

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4884920A (en) * 1985-11-07 1989-12-05 Edgar Perazzi Set of construction elements
US6572429B2 (en) * 2001-01-02 2003-06-03 Huntar, Inc. Toy model building set

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4884920A (en) * 1985-11-07 1989-12-05 Edgar Perazzi Set of construction elements
US6572429B2 (en) * 2001-01-02 2003-06-03 Huntar, Inc. Toy model building set

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2603200A (en) * 2021-02-02 2022-08-03 Mckie Mark A modular construction block
GB2603200B (en) * 2021-02-02 2023-10-18 Mckie Mark A modular construction block

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