WO2009115813A2 - Building element - Google Patents
Building element Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2009115813A2 WO2009115813A2 PCT/GB2009/000746 GB2009000746W WO2009115813A2 WO 2009115813 A2 WO2009115813 A2 WO 2009115813A2 GB 2009000746 W GB2009000746 W GB 2009000746W WO 2009115813 A2 WO2009115813 A2 WO 2009115813A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- building element
- elongate member
- building
- recess
- tongue
- Prior art date
Links
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004579 marble Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004575 stone Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000015895 biscuits Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011449 brick Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007799 cork Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 laminate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000019640 taste Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/06—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members
- E04B9/12—Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction
- E04B9/14—Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction all the members being discontinuous and laying at least partly in the same plane
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
- E04B1/58—Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/26—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons the supporting parts consisting of wood
- E04B1/2604—Connections specially adapted therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
- E04B1/541—Joints substantially without separate connecting elements, e.g. jointing by inter-engagement
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/34—Grid-like or open-work ceilings, e.g. lattice type box-like modules, acoustic baffles
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
- E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
- E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/02005—Construction of joints, e.g. dividing strips
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
- E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
- E04B2001/1945—Wooden struts
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
- E04B2001/1975—Frameworks where the struts are directly connected to each other, i.e. without interposed connecting nodes or plates
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a building element and particularly but not exclusively to a building element for creating a latticework on a floor, wall or ceiling.
- a building element comprising a substantially elongate member, the elongate member having an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second sides, a cut away provided in the lower surface of the elongate member and extending from one side to the other, and first and second tongues extending from shoulders at respective ends of the elongate member.
- the building element is advantageously designed to fit with a plurality of similar building elements for assembly into a visually pleasing latticed frame enclosing a plurality of open-spaces.
- the latticed frame or latticework is expandable ad infmitum by the continued addition of further similar building elements.
- each tongue is less than the width of the elongate member.
- each tongue has a tang at its distal end formed by a slot in the upper facing surface of the tongue across the width of the tongue adjacent the shoulder.
- a slot is provided in the base of the recess, the slot extending longitudinally of the elongate member, and adapted to receive at least one tang of a further building element.
- the slot is preferably adapted to receive two tangs of adjacent building elements positioned end-to-end.
- the recess is disposed mid-way along the length of the elongate member.
- a second recess is disposed off-set to one side of the first recess in the lower surface of the elongate member.
- a slot is provided in the base of the second recess, the slot extending longitudinally of the elongate member, and adapted to receive at least one tang of a further building element.
- the off-set recess enables a different pattern of latticework to be created.
- each shoulder lies perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
- each tongue is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
- each shoulder lies at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
- each tongue may lie at the acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
- the acute angle may be directed to the other hand.
- a latticework comprising a plurality of building elements in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in which the first and second tongues of at least one building element are received in recesses of adjacent building elements.
- a kit for creating a latticework comprising a plurality of building elements in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
- FIG 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a plurality of a first embodiment of building elements of the invention, prior to assembly into a latticework;
- FIG 2 shows a schematic plan view of the building elements of Fig 1 assembled in a latticework
- FIG 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of building element
- FIG 4 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of Fig 3 assembled in a latticework
- FIG 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of building element
- FIG 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of building element
- FIG 7 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of Fig 6 assembled in a latticework
- FIG 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of building element
- FIG 9 shows a partial side view of the building element of Fig 8 viewed along Line B-B, and a cross-section through the building element of Fig 8 viewed along Line A- A;
- FIG 10 shows a cross-sectional view through a joint of three building elements of the sixth embodiment
- FIG 11 shows a schematic perspective view of an alternative half-lap joint end of a building element
- FIG 12 shows a schematic plan view of some alternative joints suitable for use with building elements of the invention.
- FIG 13 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of a seventh embodiment assembled in a latticework
- FIG 14 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of an eighth embodiment assembled in a latticework.
- FIG 15 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of a ninth embodiment assembled in a latticework
- the building element 10 comprises a straight elongate member 12 of rectangular cross section, with a tongue 14 provided at one distal end and a similar tongue 16 provided at the other distal end.
- a recess 18 or cutaway is provided substantially mid- way along the length of the member 12.
- the width of the recess 18 is a clearance fit for width of the tongues 14,16 and therefore is substantially equal to the width of the elongate member 12.
- the recess 18 extends from one side of the elongate member 12 to the other and has a depth substantially equal to half the depth of the elongate member 12.
- the tongues 14,16 extend across the full width of the member 12 and are formed as half laps, ie they are just less than half the thickness of the member 12.
- the length of each tongue 14,16, indicated at 20, is just less than half the width of the member 12 and extends from a shoulder 15.
- the tongues extend along the lower surface of the elongate member, ie the upper half of the member from the shoulder 15 is cut away to form each tongue.
- a plurality of building elements 10 are assembled on a planar surface to form a latticework 22, indicated in Fig 2, for application as a floor, wall covering, ceiling covering or for incorporation in a patio or the like.
- Discrete square areas 24 created between the building elements 10 can be left empty or can optionally be filled with tiles of laminate, plastics, resin, ceramics, metal, glass, stone, marble, fabric, carpet or cork, wood or granular material, brick or earth for planting.
- the half lap tongues 14, 16 of each building element 10 fit into the recess 18 of adjoining respective building elements 10, disposed perpendicularly to the building element 10. As shown in Figure 1, each recess 18 receives two tongues 14,16 of building elements 10 disposed on either side of the recess 18.
- a second embodiment of building element is indicated generally at 30 and is broadly similar to the building element 10.
- the building element 30 comprises a straight elongate member 32 of rectangular cross section, with a tongue 34 provided at one distal end and a similar tongue 36 provided at the other distal end.
- a recess 38 or cutaway is provided part- way along the length of the member 32, closer to one end than the other.
- the tongues 34,36 extend across the full width of the member 32 and are formed as half laps, ie they are just less than half the thickness of the member 32.
- the length of each tongue 34,36 is just less than half the width of the member 32.
- the tongues 34, 36 and recess 38 are disposed on the same side of the member 32.
- a plurality of building elements 30 are assembled on a planar surface to form a latticework 40, as indicated in Fig 4.
- the tongues 34,36 of one member are inserted into the recesses of adjacent second and third members disposed at 90° to the first member.
- the latticework 40 includes discrete square areas 42,44 created between the building elements 30 in the same way as in the previous embodiment shown in Fig 2.
- the areas 42 are larger than the areas 44, and the ratio of the sizes depends on the positioning of the recess 38 along the length of the member 32. The further the recess 38 is positioned away from the mid-point of the member 30, then the greater the difference in sizes of the respective square shaped areas 42,44 will be.
- FIG. 5 a third embodiment of building element is indicated at 50.
- the building element 50 is similar to the first and second embodiments of building element 10,30, save that the building element 50 has two recesses 52,54 in its lower edge.
- the first recess 52 is disposed substantially mid-way along the length of the building element 50 and the second recess 54 is disposed between the central recess 54 and one end of the building element 50.
- this provides the option of assembling a latticework in the arrangement of Fig 2, in which the square areas 24 are all of equal size, or in the arrangement of Fig 4, in which there are two different sizes of square areas 42,44.
- a fourth embodiment of building element is indicated generally at 60.
- a straight elongate member 62 of rectangular cross section has a tongue 64 provided at one distal end and a similar tongue 66 provided at the other distal end.
- the ends of the elongate member 62 and the tongues 64,66 are cut at an angle ⁇ , typically around 60°.
- a recess 68 or cutaway is provided mid-way along the length of the member 62 and is also disposed at the angle ⁇ to the sides of the elongate member 62.
- the tongues 64,66 extend across the full width of the member 62 and are formed as half laps, ie they are just less than half the thickness of the member 62.
- the length of each tongue 64,66 is just less than half the width of the member 32.
- the tongues 64, 66 and recess 68 are disposed on the same side of the member 62.
- a plurality of building elements 60 are assembled into a latticework 70 with a plurality of similar building elements 72, which are handed the other way.
- the building elements meet at the angle ⁇ and spaces 74 between the members are substantially diamond shaped.
- the recess 68 is positioned off-set from the mid-way point of the building elements 60,72, enabling a latticework to be created with alternate different sizes of diamond shaped spaces.
- the building elements can be provided with two or more recesses, enabling different patterns to be created using the same elements. It will be appreciated that the angle ⁇ can be varied, to create different effects.
- a sixth embodiment of building element is indicated generally at 80.
- This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of building element 10, shown in Figure 1, save that each tongue 82, 84 is provided with an undercut 86 across the width of the building element, spaced from the end of the building element.
- the undercut leaves a raised tang 88 disposed at the end of each tongue 82,84.
- a recess 90, disposed mid- way along the building element is also undercut with a longitudinal slot 92, as shown more clearly in Figs 9 and 10.
- the slot 92 is sized to receive the width of two tangs 88 of adjacent building elements 80 placed end-to-end. In use, this has the effect of the building elements 80 being locked together.
- the tongues 82,84 can also be provided with chamfered or angled sides 94,96 as indicated in Figure 11.
- the chamfers aid assembly into a latticework.
- the tongues of any of the embodiments described can have rounded or chamfered corners to aid assembly and to facilitate handling.
- Figure 12 illustrates a number of alternative ways of interlocking the tongues of the building elements in the recesses. This may be, for example, by using single or double dovetail connections 110, dowel joints 112, biscuit joints (not shown), proprietary or custom-made connectors, click joints or other custom machined joints (114).
- the material of the building elements may be wood, laminate, plastics, resin, ceramic, metal, glass, stone, marble, cementitious material, compressed materials or foams.
- the building elements can be manufactured in any sizes, but are ideally up to Im long, enabling them to be easily transported by car.
- the building elements need not have straight sides, and can be shaped to provide interesting effects, for example, they can be used to create octagonal spaces, hexagonal spaces or even circular spaces for infill with contrasting materials.
- octagonal spaces 98 can be created by incorporating triangular shaped end portions 100 at each end of the building elements; on either side of an otherwise straight sided building element, as shown in Fig 1.
- Circular spaces 102 can be created by incorporating quarter circle curves 104 at the end of each building element on either side of an otherwise straight sided building element.
- Hexagonal spaces 106 can be created, as shown in Fig 15, using building elements with angled ends, for example as shown in Fig 7, but with triangular portions 108 disposed at each end of each building element, the respective triangular portions 108 being disposed on either side of each building element. Two handed building elements are required to create this pattern, in similar manner to that created by the building elements of Fig 7.
- the invention provides a covering which is decorative and attractive. It can be assembled with minimal skill, requiring only one or two types of component part.
- the building elements can be easily manufactured, for example, using known machining or moulding techniques.
- the building elements can be sized for ease of handling and can easily be stacked and palletized.
- the building elements can be sold in packs, for example containing a number of building elements suitable for covering a specific area.
- a completed latticework can be any desired shape or size, and can be embellished to suit different tastes, by using different infill materials between the building elements.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
- Rod-Shaped Construction Members (AREA)
Abstract
A building element (10) comprises a substantially elongate member (12) having an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second sides, a centrally disposed recess (18) provided in the lower surface of the elongate member and first and second tongues (14,16) extending from shoulders at respective ends of the elongate member (12). A plurality of building elements (10) can be arranged in a latticework, with the tongues (14,16) being located in the recesses (18) of adjacent building elements. If the shoulders are angled, a diamond pattern (see Fig 7) is created. If the position of the recess is moved, a pattern of two different sized squares is created (see Fig 4). In one embodiment, the elongate members (80, Fig 10) lock together.
Description
BUILDING ELEMENT
The present invention relates to a building element and particularly but not exclusively to a building element for creating a latticework on a floor, wall or ceiling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a building element comprising a substantially elongate member, the elongate member having an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second sides, a cut away provided in the lower surface of the elongate member and extending from one side to the other, and first and second tongues extending from shoulders at respective ends of the elongate member.
The building element is advantageously designed to fit with a plurality of similar building elements for assembly into a visually pleasing latticed frame enclosing a plurality of open-spaces. The latticed frame or latticework is expandable ad infmitum by the continued addition of further similar building elements.
Preferably the length of each tongue is less than the width of the elongate member.
Preferably each tongue has a tang at its distal end formed by a slot in the upper facing surface of the tongue across the width of the tongue adjacent the shoulder.
Preferably a slot is provided in the base of the recess, the slot extending longitudinally of the elongate member, and adapted to receive at least one tang of a further building element.
The slot is preferably adapted to receive two tangs of adjacent building elements positioned end-to-end.
Preferably the recess is disposed mid-way along the length of the elongate member.
Preferably a second recess is disposed off-set to one side of the first recess in the lower surface of the elongate member.
Preferably a slot is provided in the base of the second recess, the slot extending longitudinally of the elongate member, and adapted to receive at least one tang of a further building element.
The off-set recess enables a different pattern of latticework to be created.
Preferably each shoulder lies perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
Preferably the end of each tongue is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
This produces a substantially rectangular latticework, with rectangular spaces between the building elements.
Alternatively each shoulder lies at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
The end of each tongue may lie at the acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
The acute angle may be directed to the other hand.
This produces a substantially diamond shaped latticework with diamond-shaped spaces between the building elements.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a latticework comprising a plurality of building elements in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in which the first and second tongues of at least one building element are received in recesses of adjacent building elements.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit for creating a latticework comprising a plurality of building elements in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a plurality of a first embodiment of building elements of the invention, prior to assembly into a latticework;
FIG 2 shows a schematic plan view of the building elements of Fig 1 assembled in a latticework;
FIG 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of building element;
FIG 4 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of Fig 3 assembled in a latticework;
FIG 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of building element;
FIG 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of building element;
FIG 7 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of Fig 6 assembled in a latticework;
FIG 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of building element;
FIG 9 shows a partial side view of the building element of Fig 8 viewed along Line B-B, and a cross-section through the building element of Fig 8 viewed along Line A- A;
FIG 10 shows a cross-sectional view through a joint of three building elements of the sixth embodiment;
FIG 11 shows a schematic perspective view of an alternative half-lap joint end of a building element;
FIG 12 shows a schematic plan view of some alternative joints suitable for use with building elements of the invention;
FIG 13 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of a seventh embodiment assembled in a latticework;
FIG 14 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of an eighth embodiment assembled in a latticework; and
FIG 15 shows a schematic plan view of a plurality of building elements of a ninth embodiment assembled in a latticework;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Fig 1, a first embodiment of building element is indicated generally at 10. The building element 10 comprises a straight elongate member 12 of rectangular cross section, with a tongue 14 provided at one distal end and a similar tongue 16 provided at the other distal end. A recess 18 or cutaway is provided substantially mid- way along the length of the member 12. The width of the recess 18 is a clearance fit for width of the tongues 14,16 and therefore is substantially equal to the width of the elongate member 12. The recess 18 extends from one side of the elongate member 12 to the other and has a depth substantially equal to half the depth of the elongate member 12.
The tongues 14,16 extend across the full width of the member 12 and are formed as half laps, ie they are just less than half the thickness of the member 12. The length of each tongue 14,16, indicated at 20, is just less than half the width of the member 12 and extends from a shoulder 15. The tongues extend along the lower surface of the elongate member, ie the upper half of the member from the shoulder 15 is cut away to form each tongue.
In use a plurality of building elements 10 are assembled on a planar surface to form a latticework 22, indicated in Fig 2, for application as a floor, wall covering, ceiling covering or for incorporation in a patio or the like. Discrete square areas 24 created between the building elements 10 can be left empty or can optionally be filled with tiles of laminate, plastics, resin, ceramics, metal, glass, stone, marble, fabric, carpet or cork, wood or granular material, brick or earth for planting. The half lap tongues 14, 16 of each building element 10 fit into the recess 18 of adjoining respective building elements 10, disposed perpendicularly to the building element 10. As shown in Figure 1, each recess 18 receives two tongues 14,16 of building elements 10 disposed on either side of the recess 18.
Referring now to Fig 3, a second embodiment of building element is indicated generally at 30 and is broadly similar to the building element 10. The building element 30 comprises a straight elongate member 32 of rectangular cross section, with a tongue 34 provided at one distal end and a similar tongue 36 provided at the other distal end. A recess 38 or cutaway is provided part- way along the length of the member 32, closer to one end than the other. The tongues 34,36 extend across the full width of the member 32 and are formed as half laps, ie they are just less than half the thickness of the member 32. The length of each tongue 34,36 is just less than half the width of the member 32. The tongues 34, 36 and recess 38 are disposed on the same side of the member 32.
In use, a plurality of building elements 30 are assembled on a planar surface to form a latticework 40, as indicated in Fig 4. The tongues 34,36 of one member are inserted into the recesses of adjacent second and third members disposed at 90° to the first member. The latticework 40 includes discrete square areas 42,44 created between the building elements 30 in the same way as in the previous embodiment shown in Fig 2.
However, the areas 42 are larger than the areas 44, and the ratio of the sizes depends on the positioning of the recess 38 along the length of the member 32. The further the recess 38 is positioned away from the mid-point of the member 30, then the greater the difference in sizes of the respective square shaped areas 42,44 will be.
Referring now to Figure 5, a third embodiment of building element is indicated at 50. The building element 50 is similar to the first and second embodiments of building element 10,30, save that the building element 50 has two recesses 52,54 in its lower edge. The first recess 52 is disposed substantially mid-way along the length of the building element 50 and the second recess 54 is disposed between the central recess 54 and one end of the building element 50. In use, this provides the option of assembling a latticework in the arrangement of Fig 2, in which the square areas 24 are all of equal size, or in the arrangement of Fig 4, in which there are two different sizes of square areas 42,44.
Referring now to Fig 6, a fourth embodiment of building element is indicated generally at 60. In this embodiment, a straight elongate member 62 of rectangular cross section has a tongue 64 provided at one distal end and a similar tongue 66 provided at the other distal end. The ends of the elongate member 62 and the tongues 64,66 are cut at an angle α, typically around 60°. A recess 68 or cutaway is provided mid-way along the length of the member 62 and is also disposed at the angle α to the sides of the elongate member 62. The tongues 64,66 extend across the full width of the member 62 and are formed as half laps, ie they are just less than half the thickness of the member 62. The length of each tongue 64,66 is just less than half the width of the member 32. The tongues 64, 66 and recess 68 are disposed on the same side of the member 62.
In use, as shown in Fig 7, a plurality of building elements 60 are assembled into a latticework 70 with a plurality of similar building elements 72, which are handed the other way. The building elements meet at the angle α and spaces 74 between the members are substantially diamond shaped. In a fifth embodiment (not shown) the recess 68 is positioned off-set from the mid-way point of the building elements 60,72, enabling a latticework to be created with alternate different sizes of diamond shaped spaces. As in the previous embodiments, the building elements can be provided with
two or more recesses, enabling different patterns to be created using the same elements. It will be appreciated that the angle α can be varied, to create different effects.
Referring now to Fig 8, a sixth embodiment of building element is indicated generally at 80. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of building element 10, shown in Figure 1, save that each tongue 82, 84 is provided with an undercut 86 across the width of the building element, spaced from the end of the building element. The undercut leaves a raised tang 88 disposed at the end of each tongue 82,84. A recess 90, disposed mid- way along the building element is also undercut with a longitudinal slot 92, as shown more clearly in Figs 9 and 10. The slot 92 is sized to receive the width of two tangs 88 of adjacent building elements 80 placed end-to-end. In use, this has the effect of the building elements 80 being locked together. The tongues 82,84 can also be provided with chamfered or angled sides 94,96 as indicated in Figure 11. The chamfers aid assembly into a latticework. Optionally the tongues of any of the embodiments described can have rounded or chamfered corners to aid assembly and to facilitate handling.
Figure 12 illustrates a number of alternative ways of interlocking the tongues of the building elements in the recesses. This may be, for example, by using single or double dovetail connections 110, dowel joints 112, biscuit joints (not shown), proprietary or custom-made connectors, click joints or other custom machined joints (114).
The material of the building elements may be wood, laminate, plastics, resin, ceramic, metal, glass, stone, marble, cementitious material, compressed materials or foams. When laying the building elements, for example, as a floor, if left un-bonded with adhesive, then they can be reused. The building elements can be manufactured in any sizes, but are ideally up to Im long, enabling them to be easily transported by car.
The building elements need not have straight sides, and can be shaped to provide interesting effects, for example, they can be used to create octagonal spaces, hexagonal spaces or even circular spaces for infill with contrasting materials.
Referring to Fig 13, octagonal spaces 98 can be created by incorporating triangular shaped end portions 100 at each end of the building elements; on either side of an otherwise straight sided building element, as shown in Fig 1.
Circular spaces 102, as shown in Fig 14, can be created by incorporating quarter circle curves 104 at the end of each building element on either side of an otherwise straight sided building element.
Hexagonal spaces 106 can be created, as shown in Fig 15, using building elements with angled ends, for example as shown in Fig 7, but with triangular portions 108 disposed at each end of each building element, the respective triangular portions 108 being disposed on either side of each building element. Two handed building elements are required to create this pattern, in similar manner to that created by the building elements of Fig 7.
The invention provides a covering which is decorative and attractive. It can be assembled with minimal skill, requiring only one or two types of component part. The building elements can be easily manufactured, for example, using known machining or moulding techniques. The building elements can be sized for ease of handling and can easily be stacked and palletized. The building elements can be sold in packs, for example containing a number of building elements suitable for covering a specific area. A completed latticework can be any desired shape or size, and can be embellished to suit different tastes, by using different infill materials between the building elements.
It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. In some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A building element (10;30;50;60;80) comprising a substantially elongate member (12), the elongate member (12) having an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second sides, a recess (18) provided in the lower surface of the elongate member (12) extending from one side to the other, and first and second tongues (14,16) extending from shoulders (15) at respective ends of the elongate member (12), the length of each tongue (14,16) being less than the width of the elongate member (12).
2. A building element (80) as claimed in claim 1, in which each tongue (82,84) has a tang (88) at its distal end formed by a slot (86) in the upper facing surface of the tongue (82,84) across the width of the tongue adjacent the shoulder.
3. A building element (80) as claimed in claim 2, in which a slot (92) is provided in the base of the recess (90), the slot (92) extending longitudinally of the elongate member (80), and adapted to receive at least one tang (88) of a further building element (80).
4. A building element (10;50;60;80) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the recess (18;52;68;90) is disposed mid-way along the length of the elongate member.
5. A building element (50) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which a second recess (54) is disposed off-set to one side of the first recess (52) in the lower surface of the elongate member.
6. A building element (50) as claimed in claim 5, in which a slot is provided in the base of the second recess (54), the slot extending longitudinally of the elongate member, and adapted to receive at least one tang of a further building element (50).
7. A building element (10;30;50;80) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each shoulder (15) lies perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member (12;32).
8. A building element (10;30;50;80) as claimed in claim 7, in which the end of each tongue (14,16;34,36;82,84) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member (12;32).
9. A building element (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which each shoulder lies at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member (62).
10. A building element (60) as claimed in claim 9, in which the end of each tongue (64,66) lies at the acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member (62).
11. A building element (60) as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the acute angle is directed to the other hand.
12. A latticework (22;40;70) comprising a plurality of building elements (10;30;60) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second tongues of at least one building element are received in recesses of adjacent building elements.
13. A kit for creating a latticework comprising a plurality of building elements (10;30;50;60;80) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.
14. A building element (10;30;50;60;80) substantially as claimed herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0805349.8A GB2458511B (en) | 2008-03-20 | 2008-03-20 | Building element |
GB0805349.8 | 2008-03-20 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2009115813A2 true WO2009115813A2 (en) | 2009-09-24 |
WO2009115813A3 WO2009115813A3 (en) | 2009-11-12 |
Family
ID=39386654
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2009/000746 WO2009115813A2 (en) | 2008-03-20 | 2009-03-19 | Building element |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2458511B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009115813A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021155481A1 (en) * | 2020-02-05 | 2021-08-12 | Universidad Diego Portales | Structural system with self-scaffolding, structure comprising same and method for building a structure using the structural system with self-scaffolding |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102016103386A1 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2016-09-01 | Andrej Eifert | Modular wall construction, ceiling or roof construction, including the procedure for constructing appropriate structures |
US20220268030A1 (en) * | 2021-02-25 | 2022-08-25 | Premier Concepts Millwork and Installation, LLC | Surface Presentation Panel |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB941100A (en) * | 1961-10-07 | 1963-11-06 | Jon Tacey | Improvements in or relating to interlocking elements for use in the erection of frame structures |
DE2050599A1 (en) * | 1970-10-15 | 1972-04-20 | Breiter Ulrich | Set of components, in particular for play purposes |
EP0039448A2 (en) * | 1980-05-02 | 1981-11-11 | SF-Vollverbundstein-Kooperation GmbH | Wall made of concrete elements |
US4970839A (en) * | 1990-01-12 | 1990-11-20 | Arnon Lavi | Assembly elements and decorative panel formed therewith |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IL55404A (en) * | 1978-08-21 | 1981-02-27 | Technion Res & Dev Foundation | Building element for construction of interlocking grids |
US4674254A (en) * | 1984-10-29 | 1987-06-23 | Koehler David J | Wood track suspension ceiling system |
-
2008
- 2008-03-20 GB GB0805349.8A patent/GB2458511B/en active Active
-
2009
- 2009-03-19 WO PCT/GB2009/000746 patent/WO2009115813A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB941100A (en) * | 1961-10-07 | 1963-11-06 | Jon Tacey | Improvements in or relating to interlocking elements for use in the erection of frame structures |
DE2050599A1 (en) * | 1970-10-15 | 1972-04-20 | Breiter Ulrich | Set of components, in particular for play purposes |
EP0039448A2 (en) * | 1980-05-02 | 1981-11-11 | SF-Vollverbundstein-Kooperation GmbH | Wall made of concrete elements |
US4970839A (en) * | 1990-01-12 | 1990-11-20 | Arnon Lavi | Assembly elements and decorative panel formed therewith |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021155481A1 (en) * | 2020-02-05 | 2021-08-12 | Universidad Diego Portales | Structural system with self-scaffolding, structure comprising same and method for building a structure using the structural system with self-scaffolding |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0805349D0 (en) | 2008-04-30 |
GB2458511B (en) | 2012-06-13 |
WO2009115813A3 (en) | 2009-11-12 |
GB2458511A (en) | 2009-09-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5623799A (en) | Device and process for mounting tiles of varying thickness | |
AU2002302249B2 (en) | Panel, kit and method for forming a masonry wall | |
EP0368479B1 (en) | Block wall construction system using interconnected construction blocks | |
US3791090A (en) | Building block | |
US9003736B2 (en) | System for a floor covering | |
US8820024B1 (en) | Wall building system and method | |
US7793474B2 (en) | Over-mount corner | |
JP2007507628A (en) | Structural panel | |
WO2009115813A2 (en) | Building element | |
JP2003521606A (en) | Components for building wall elements, ceiling elements, floor elements, support wall elements, boundary elements, partition elements, etc. | |
CA2039065A1 (en) | Sectional decoration block | |
US11384545B2 (en) | Profile system for intersecting joints | |
PL226647B1 (en) | Construction set for coating a substrate, especially a floor | |
US20140083041A1 (en) | Faux brick and faux brick system | |
EP2990558B1 (en) | Wall building system and method for builing said wall system | |
KR20110011623U (en) | A prefabricated brick which is able to insert and combine | |
US20070175161A1 (en) | Interlocking block | |
CN105672635B (en) | A kind of tile work device, facing assembly and tile work method | |
KR200375683Y1 (en) | Tile base | |
WO2005026464A1 (en) | Building element and structure | |
KR200481493Y1 (en) | Connection type outer material having stopper of outer wall for building | |
CA1068873A (en) | Modular elements for covering floors and walls with tiles and the like | |
EP1772571A2 (en) | System of decorative artificial stone elements for facing walls and partitions | |
KR101383074B1 (en) | Decoration block for construcyion matreials | |
JPH047455A (en) | Wall material |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 09722805 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A2 |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 09722805 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A2 |