WO2007096384A1

WO2007096384A1 - Universal building component

Info

Publication number: WO2007096384A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/051667
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Tosatti
Original assignee: Alberto Tosatti
Priority date: 2006-02-22
Filing date: 2007-02-21
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: ITFI20060045A1

Abstract

A building component, which, due to the special shape of its supporting surfaces (load-bearing surfaces), allows for the construction of any type of structure is described.

Description

UNIVERSAL BUILDING COMPONENT Field of the invention

The invention refers to the field of building and construction components. State of the art

The building and construction field has always posed several problems of varying types, and in order to solve these problems, it has been necessary to occupy vast areas of land and existing living areas, with a decidedly negative impact on our quality of life. The most significant issues relate to the total height, and the width of the various structures to be built, and these are caused by the following: -limitations imposed by the available lifting devices;

-the inferior use of gravitational energy and, as a result, the problems regarding the attainment of stability; -of the limited relative power and durability over time of the building materials currently available.

Another serious problem stems from the frequently problematic conditions regarding the accessibility of the working area or building site, namely, all those effects resulting from the need to transport the construction equipment and support structures by way of ordinary road networks.

The vast majority of the problems, moreover, largely originate from the lack of a true and proper pre-fabrication, and this, in turn, causes even greater difficulty in the positioning of the various building and construction components, which, in turn, has a negative impact on costs and schedules, which often result in massive delays and cost overruns.

Therefore, it is important to utilize a universal building element which is completely innovative and capable of resolving the above-mentioned problems and, as such, which would simplify and replace current methods of building structures. Summary of the invention

Subject of the present invention is a universal building component comprising two supporting surfaces, equal and parallel to each other, joined to each other by suitable joining components, consisting of a plurality of dihedrons so as to allow for the placement and fit with perfect adherence, and in which the volume between the supporting surfaces may be either empty or filled. Brief description of the figures: Figure 1 depicts, in perspective, a possible rendering of a building component according to the invention.

Figure 2 depicts the section of the building component in Figure 1 according to a plane perpendicular to the edges of the dihedrons which make up the supporting surfaces. Figure 3 depicts a special embodiment of the invention. Description of the preferred embodiments

This invention allows us to overcome the problems listed above, enabling us to build any possible type of structure thanks to a universal building component 10, consisting of two supporting surfaces 11 , equal to and parallel to each other, joined to each other by specific linking devices, consisting of a plurality of dihedrons 12, which, when placed over each other, allow themselves to fit and become perfectly adherent, and whose volume 13 between the supporting surfaces may either be left empty or filled. For the purposes of this invention, by universal building component we mean a solid body, i.e. a unit, which, when repeatedly positioned upwards, by means of continuous overlaying and, as such, coupling, allows for the erection of any type of structure. These may include complex structures such as civil, industrial, military buildings, or larger public works, infrastructures, or highways, or orbiting air and naval units, or simple furnishing items, etc. According to the invention, the above-mentioned supporting surfaces, consisting of a plurality of dihedrons, may have any shape perimeter (curved, circular, elliptic, polygonal(regular or irregular); the preferred design is a polygonal perimeter, specifically squared or rectangular and, in this case, even more ideally, where the length of one side is a multiple of the length of the other. These supporting surfaces may be distanced between themselves any thickness in accordance with the specific needs. These surface areas may be whole, or, especially in the case in which the volume between them is empty, may include suitable discontinuity in number and shape according to the requirements (for example, with the insertion of special connectors between the building components as explained below); moreover, it should be noted that the presence of this discontinuity allows for a further reduction in the weight of the building component in its entirety, if needed. The presence of an empty volume, within the building unit, between the two solid supporting surfaces, according to the invention, offers noteworthy advantages. Indeed, not only does it reduce the overall weight, but it allows, for example, for the filling of that empty space with different materials which may improve its utilization and/or which may facilitate its transport.

Indeed, it is possible, for example, to fill the internal empty space with insulating materials which are able to absorb sound and vibration, or with fireproof materials, or with lighter elements (such as foam, or creating air chambers, etc) which allow the entire building component to float, thereby allowing for easier transport to desired site locations.

If necessary, later, this same flotation capability may be eliminated easily and directly at the specific site, thereby allowing the submerging of all those building elements which may be utilized in structures which may be totally or partially underwater.

Still another realization of the invention, allows the empty space existing within the building component, while opportunely structured, as explained previously, to be transformed into a vacuum, and therefore able to be utilized as a suitable component for building aircraft or other similar structures which are capable of hovering in air.

The convex angle "α" of the dihedrons which constitute the two supporting surfaces mentioned above, is determined or chosen according to the needs of the design of the construction project, preferably less than 135°, and even more specifically, of 90°. Obviously, should it be required by special construction needs, the sections of the supporting surfaces mentioned above may have an undulated or wave-like profile, in which case their profile, in section, is depicted by a sinusoid. The building component of the invention is a component which, statically or mechanically, comprises solid rigid couplings capable of producing work, namely, stabilizing energy.

As seen in Figure 3, in case the volume between the two solid support surfaces is empty, a series of support walls may be located therein, as joiners and connectors 14 which, preferably, are positioned transversally, or rather perpendicular with respect to the generators (edges) of the dihedrons which make up the above- mentioned supporting surfaces 11 , and are parallel to each other. The above-mentioned support walls are best made from laminates having the correct section profile capable of allowing for the desired action of support (for example, a shape such as that of a double T or C or U or similar). According to a preferred realization of the invention, there are five of these support walls 14 and they are located as follows: one in the middle, two at the ends, two at every third of the entire longitudinal length of the building component. This is the arrangement which is best suited to provide the stability required in the structure to be erected, given that the purpose of the continuous use of the building component according to the invention, is the formation of a number of couplings of the building components which result from their staggered superimposition, either by one half or by one-third, or by the entire longitudinal length or by the number of dihedrons of the building component; obviously, whenever necessary, the number of the support walls 14 may be increased at will.

So as to further stabilize the rigidity and solidity of the couplings formed by the building components mentioned above, according to the invention, these may be equipped with specially suited binding mechanisms or connectors which reinforce and complete the adherence/joining, and, therefore, the stability and resistance to stress forces at play.

These bindings may be either mechanical (for example, in Figure 3, as depicted by a pin and slot 15) or non-mechanical, of a rigid or elastic type, with or without automatic activation. The non-mechanical bindings may be of various types, namely, chemical, thermal, magnetic or otherwise; their use may vary in accordance to the function of the design requirements for the project, as well as the means available. The non-mechanical type of binding may include, for example:

-chemical bindings (such as adhesive foams, chemical adherents, etc) which may be applied to the supporting surfaces, and by contact, with the building components which comprise the couplings.

-thermal bindings (fusions, oxyacetylene and oxyhydrogen welding, etc.) which may be applied to the supporting surfaces, and by contact, with the building components (structural members) which comprise the couplings, -magnetic bindings (magnets, electromagnets, etc) which create adherence between the magnetic or magnetized metallic surfaces. .

Mechanical bindings may, for example, consist of two distinct parts: one part which projects, located on one of the two supporting surfaces 11 of the building component, and the other which receives, located inside the body of the building component, passing through the other supporting surface 11 positioned across from it.

The projecting part may be, for example, a cylindrical rod or pin, whose external surface area is smooth, grooved, edged or otherwise, while the second part, for example, may be a hole in the form of a slot, called the "entry slot" which incorporates the cylindrical pin mentioned above during the positioning. It should be noted that if the cylindrical pin is high enough this may also function as a guide during the phase of superimposition and formation of the couplings, and, as such, serve to simplify its entry into the building component, during the overlaying. Another binding option which may be used with the projecting binding mentioned above, consisting of a cylindrical pin or rod, may include a mechanical device capable of blocking and/or locking the two building components to each other while forming the coupling.

An example of an automatic binding option, which may be applied to the connector described above, may be an elastic juncture, with a single release action; this may be activated only in the phase of superimposition, and activated by the actual weight of the building component since it naturally exerts pressure while it is being positioned on top of another and/or others. Another type of binding may be depicted by a permanent elastic juncture applied to and functioning in concurrence with the other bindings present, such as those described above; it may be inserted automatically or not so as to allow the blocking or locking of the couplings, as well as the building components themselves (elastic or semi-elastic) and whose reaction depends on the intensity and duration of the agent stress forces.

The number of bindings, as well as their positioning above or inside of each individual building component, is determined by the construction requirements. As described above, the method of utilizing the building component, according to the invention, is clear, as are the advantages which stem from this.

Indeed, this building component according to the invention, may be positioned in many different ways, and it allows for the construction of different types of structures simultaneously. These may be vertical and horizontal, altering only the scheme of the positioning of each single building component with respect to the others during the construction and the resulting formation of the couplings.

So as to attain the greatest stability of the structure, the building components always be positioned as staggered between themselves. For this reason it is necessary that the position of the building component must always be held horizontal, and that the movement of the assembly must always be carried out in a direction parallel to the vertical axis, namely, from top to bottom, downward.

In this way, each building component, with its own surfaces, simultaneously supports, overlays, and centers the corresponding supporting surfaces of the four building components which receive them (side-by-side, two by two) and whose lines of contact form a cross. As such, at every point of superimposition and the building component simultaneously acts to center the following:

-the center of the line of contact parallel to the longitudinal axis; -the edge of the dihedron located in between, or the nearest, to the middle of the line of contact parallel to the transversal axis of the building components (structural members), forming as a result four couplings and becoming, moreover, the binding component, and therefore, the union and connection, which links the four components to each other. Moreover, each building component, once laid in place, is, in itself, an integral part of a layer of building components, ready to receive the superimposition of successive layers and, therefore, ready to be further joined to the other four building components, this time positioned above, with which it forms another four couplings.

Upon completion of the building process, therefore, each individual building component comprises -and is an integral part of-, an interwoven grid of couplings; at once it binds and is bound by another eight building components with which is has formed eight couplings. The layers, consisting of one single line of building components, are joined to each other with a different number of couplings; namely, there are two couplings formed where we previously showed four, and four where we previously showed eight. It should be noted from the above that as soon as the building component is laid in place in order to create the coupling, the building component is automatically positioned correctly with respect to others, thereby instantly assuming the correct order and alignment both along the vertical axis, as well as the horizontal one, trasversally and longitudinally. In this way it is immediately autonomous, self supporting, complete in every function, and not does not require any type of external or extraneous intervention, such as scaffolding, moulds, cement, etc. prior to or following the construction.

The building component spontaneously creates an interconnected grid of couplings, connected among themselves; they are bound and binding, and, therefore, energetically solid among themselves, constantly active and interactive so as to constitute a true structural mesh. This mesh generates organic sets which are cellular in nature and development, where each cell consists of a building element of a remarkable monolithic structure, in which all building components join together to become a single compact block, resulting, as such, in the erection of structures which are of unalterable structural stability. Clearly, in order to complete these erected structures, it will be necessary to use specifically designed building components, and that these are complementary to the "basic" building component for the project" (as when erecting a brick wall when it is necessary to compensate the usual staggering by fractions of bricks prepared on site).

Obviously, this invention also comprises all those complementary building components of the "basic" building component (by this we mean the building component heretofore described and defined). These may include, for example, the complementary building components such as "fractioned" types (as for example, the building components that made up of supporting surfaces consisting of one or two dihedrons) which serve the purpose of occupying the vacant spaces created in the erection of structures, as a result of the execution of the different staggering areas and/or transfers which occur during the placing of the basic building components. Therefore these same "fractional" complementary building components should be considered as multiples or sub-multiples, of the component in use, in general, as the basic one for the desired structure. Other complementary building components may include those which are "angular", or T-shaped, or shaped like a cross, and which result from the overlaying of building components which comprise two structures and are united by an angle, a cross, or a "T".

Another example of a complementary building component is that which simultaneously receives the superimposition of two or more components having a different shape of their two respective supporting surfaces. These two surfaces, while still belonging to the same building component, are created in such a way that each has a different shape and/or number of dihedrons. Since they are able to simultaneously support and therefore superimpose two different basic components, they allow for the alternating from the use of one component to another within the same structure . As a result, the final structure may contain one type of component underneath the transitioning complementary components, and another type above it.

In conclusion, other examples of complementary building components may include those needed to resolve aesthetic issues which arise during construction. In order to construct curved contours for the facade or projections, or create the shaping of keels or bottoms, or any other shaping of the entire structure, we may utilize those components which have the shape specifically designed by plan or plans of the two supporting surfaces of a basic building component.

The basic building components, as per the invention, may, themselves, be built, by one or more structural components, according to the function they fulfill. Specifically, they may include the following:

-those consisting of a single solid building component, or constructed in a single solid and uniform body, to be made from concrete or similar materials, with or without reinforcement, of varying type, consistency, shape and size;

-those consisting of several building components, joined among themselves in a single composite building component, made from laminated or similar materials, of various types and consistencies, which may be bent or shaped, with the appropriate thickness.

For purposes of illustration, what follows is a special example of a composite structural component as per the invention. Example

Building component consisting of :

-two equal supporting surfaces, each consisting of three dihedrons, equal among themselves, the convex angle of the dihedrons measuring 90°, whose perimeter is of four equal sides and with a length of between 100 and 300 centimeters (as determined by the structure to be erected), said supporting surfaces being constructed of steel sheets, of a thickness ranging between 2 and 20 millimeters

(as determined by the position of the component within the structure to be erected);

-five support walls made of metal sheets in a thickness ranging between 3 and 30 millimeters (as determined by the position of the component within the structure to be erected);

- space between the two supporting surfaces and the five support walls, filled with concrete mix, or polymer foam, or which may be left empty.

Claims

1. Universal building component (10) comprising two supporting surfaces (11), equal and parallel to each other, joined to each other by suitable joining components, consisting of a plurality of dihedrons (12) so as to allow for the placement and fit with perfect adherence, and in which the volume (13) between the supporting surfaces may be either empty or filled.

2. Building component according to claim 1 in which said dihedrons, forming the supporting surfaces (12) are three and equal among themselves.

3. Building component according to claim 1 in which said supporting surfaces are made up of a plurality of dihedrons and have any form of perimeter.

4. Building component according to the claim 3 in which perimeter is square or rectangular.

5. Building component according to the claim 4 in which the longest side of the rectangular perimeter is a multiple of the shortest side.

6. Building component according to the claims 1-5 in which said supporting surfaces are whole.

7. Building component according to the claims 1-5 in which said supporting surfaces comprise suitable discontinuity in number and of any shape.

8. Building component according to the claims 1-7 in which the volume between the two supporting surfaces is filled with insulating materials, sound- and vibration-absorbent materials, fireproof materials, foam, or air space.

9. Building component according to the claims 1-8 in which the volume contained between the supporting surfaces, is a vacuum.

10. Building component according to the claims 1 - 9 in which the convex angle "α", of the dihedrons forming the two supporting surfaces, is less than 135°, and, preferably, measuring 90°.

11. Building component according to the claim 10 in which said convex angle "α" measures 90°.

12. Building component according to the claims 1-9 in which the profile of the supporting surfaces is a sinusoid.

13. Building component according to the claims 1-12 in which between the supporting surfaces, are located walls (14) perpendicular with respect to the edges of the dihedrons, and parallel to each other acting as joiners and connectors.

14. Building component according to the claim 13 in which said support walls (14) are made of laminated materials with appropriate shaping, which may provide the required supporting action.

15. Building component according to the claims 13-15 in which said support walls (14) are five and are positioned as follows: one in the middle, two at the ends, and two at every third of the entire longitudinal length of the building component.

16. Building component according to the claims 1-15 in which said component is equipped with a mechanical binding mechanism, which may be rigid or elastic, with or without automatic activation, or also non-mechanical.

17. Building component according to the claim 16 in which mechanical binding consists of two distinct parts: one as projector, located on one of the two supporting surfaces (11) of the building component, and the other as recipient, located on the body of the building component, passing through the other supporting surface located opposite.

18. Building component according to the claim 16 in which said automatic binding consists of an elastic juncture, with a single release mechanism, which may be activated during the positioning phase, and activated by the weight itself of the building component which, when laid on top of the other, exerts pressure.

19. Building component according to the claim 16 in which said elastic binding consists of a permanent elastic joint, applied to and functioning concurrently with the other bindings present so as to block or lock the couplings and, therefore, join the building components to each other, whether they are elastic or semi-elastic.

20. Method for the utilization of the building components according to the claims 1- 19 in which the building components are assembled in a staggered pattern, for which the position of each building component is maintained or held horizontal, and the movement of positioning is always carried out from top to bottom.

21. Complementary building component consisting of a sub-multiple of the component according to the preceding claims.

22. Complementary building component according to claim 21 which is the angular type, or "T" or "cross", or capable of receiving simultaneously the superimposition of two or more basic building components which have different supporting surfaces.

23. Complementary building component according to claim 21 having a perimeter shape which is suitably drawn based on the plan or plans of its two supporting surfaces.

24. Building components, according to any of the preceding claims, consisting of a single solid building component filled with conglomerates or cement mixture, with or without reinforcement, and which may vary in type, consistency, form, and size.

25. Building components according to claims 1-23 consisting of several components, joined together so as to form a single building component, such as a composite, and made of laminated or similar materials, and which may vary in type, consistency, and which may be bent or shaped, with the appropriate thickness.

26. Building component according to claims 1-25 consisting of: two equal supporting surfaces, each with three dihedrons, the convex angle of the dihedrons measuring 90°, whose perimeter is made up of four equal sides and of a length ranging between 100 and 300 centimeters (as determined by the structure to be erected), supporting surfaces made of steel sheets, with a thickness ranging from 2 to 20 millimeters (as determined by the position of the component within the structure to be erected); -five support walls made of steel sheets with a thickness ranging from 3 to 30 millimeters (as determined by the position of the building component within the structure to be erected);

-a space which includes the two surface areas and the five bearing walls , filled with cement conglomerate mix, or polymer foam, or remaining empty.