ZA201100474B

ZA201100474B - Method of construction

Info

Publication number: ZA201100474B
Application number: ZA2011/00474A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Jeremy Walters
Original assignee: Jeremy Walters
Priority date: 2009-11-13
Filing date: 2011-01-19
Publication date: 2011-10-26

Description

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to construction and, more particularly, to building construction. In particular, the invention relates to construction elements and to a ; method of construction in which these elements are used.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Careful project planning, wherein deadlines are to be met in order to keep building schedules on track, normally goes hand in hand with building construction. However, building construction is a time consuming process and, thus, any new developments involving for example faster, more efficient and safer building techniques or products are always welcomed.

[0003] Regularly, construction workers need to work at elevated positions which present generally unsafe conditions. For example, windows are often built into side walls of buildings relatively high up. Window frames then need to be hoisted into position and carefully spaced to fit openings in the walls. Apart from being potentially unsafe, this regular practice also increases the margin for error in that - : measurement mistakes may more frequently creep in when construction workers operate at such elevated positions. .

[0004] It could prove to be quite beneficial to have a building method that provides reduced construction periods, better accessibility, and more accuracy in building results.

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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide construction elements and a method of construction in which these elements are used which addresses the

Co abovementioned shortcomings and which at least partly, achieves the advantages set out. . | SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION : [0006] In accordance with this invention there is provided a method of constructing a building after a foundation has been laid, the method including the steps of: a) locating a plurality of uprights on the foundation in a position substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation; b) positioning at least one wall, having a base portion opposite a top portion, in a first position wherein the base portion extends between two opposing uprights, the top portion lies remote from the uprights, and the base and top portion are in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the foundation; and c) moving the wall from the first position to a second position wherein the wall is brought to a position substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation, between the opposing uprights.

Preferably the method includes the step of working on the wall while it is located in the first position.

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The work that may be conducted on the wall whilst in the first position includes painting at least part of the wall, providing an insulating layer to the wall, inserting oo window and door frames into the wall. . . -. 5 [0007] Preferably, the work includes finishing the wall by including accessories : to the wall such as, for example, window frames, window sills, window glass, door jambs and doors, lintels, electrical connections, plumbing connections, and/or other architectural embellishments. It is also desirable to atiend to the finishing of each wall’s interior by application of paint, stucco or the like before the wall it titted.

[0008] There is also provided for each upright and each wall to be a pre- fabricated unit. Typically the walls are pre-stressed concrete slabs while the : uprights are either pre-stressed concrete columns or steel alloy columns. ; [0009] Alternatively, there is provided for each upright to be a casting constructed in a mould for the upright from a liquid-like castable raw material, such casting being constructed on the foundation in a position substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation before the wall is positioned in the first position.

[0010] There is also provided for each wall to be cast in the first position in a mould for the wall from a liquid-like castable raw material. oF | P22663is fi ta

[0011] Alternatively there is provided for each upright to be a pre-fabricated unit: : and for each wall to be cast in the first position in the mould for the wall. a. oo [0012] Further alternatively, there is provided for each wall to be a pre-fabricated : ’ unit placed into the first position before being tilted into the second position: and for each upright to be cast in a mould for the upright while the mould is in a position substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation.

[0013] When each wall is a pre-fabricated unit, it is also desirable to attend to the finishing of each wall's exterior by application of paint, stucco or the like before the wall is tilted to the second position. : 10 [0014] There is provided for each wall to matingly fit each of the opposing

Co uprights, between which the wall is placed in the second position, at respective h sides thereof.

[0015] There is further provided for each wall to have tapered sidewalls which : mate with complimentary shaped longitudinal recesses formed in the opposing uprights.

[0016] Yet further there is provided for each wall to pivot about a hinge at a junction between a base of the wall and a peripheral edge of the foundation.

[0017] The hinge may form part of the wall mould.

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N [0018] Moreover, there is provided for each upright mould to further comprise formwork for moulding uprights of a length which allows use of the cast uprights } in the building of muitiple storey buildings. Preferably, each mould further comprises formwork for moulding a cross-beam and a support for the cross beam that extends between the opposing uprights. Preferably slots are provided : in each cross beam for receiving rafters which extend between cross beams of opposing moulds. Typically, each upright mould includes a. roof structure : component for facilitating the finishing of the building's roof. i. [0019] There is also provided for an upright which, when viewed in section : | 10 transverse to the upright, is substantially T-shaped. Additionally, there is provided for an upright which, when viewed in section transverse to the upright, is in the shape of a rectangle with rectangular cut-away portions at diagonally opposite corners.

[0020] Conveniently, a base of each upright is broader than a top thereof; similarly, the base portion of each wall is broader than its top portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

. [0021] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying non-limiting drawings in which :

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a plurality of uprights, with walls located there-between in a first position, for constructing a building on a foundation in accordance with the invention;

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Figure 1A shows a pair of opposing uprights from Figure 1 and a single wall in the first position; . Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the building of Figure 1 with the walls in a : second position; oo 5 Figure 3 shows a view in plan of the building in Figure 1 with the walls in the first , position;

Co Figure 4 shows a side view of the building of Figure 1 with one wall in an : : | intermediate position between the first and second positions and another wall in

N the first position;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a multi-storey building constructed in accordance with the method of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the building of Figure 1 with cross beams between opposing uprights;

Figure 6A shows an exploded view of a cross beam of Figure 6 receiving floor- supporting rafters;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an upright that can receive walls in a

SE flanking arrangement and for illustrative purposes showing only one wall nL Co engaged thereto; N : Figure 7A shows a perspective view of the wall in Figure 7 illustrating its tapered configuration;

Figure 7B shows a partial view in plan of the upright of Figure 7 with two side walls received in the flanking arrangement;

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Figure 8 shows a partial perspective view of an upright situated at a corner of the building of Figure 1 with two walls received in a perpendicular arrangement;. } Figure 8A shows a partial view in plan of the upright of Figure 8 illustrating the perpendicular arrangement of the walls: ’ oo 5 Figure 9 shows a side view of an axle assembly used to hinge the side walls oC between the first and second positions; .

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a side wall in the first position illustrating the shape of a foot of the wall; and

Figure 11 shows a side view of a leverage mechanism used to raise the side wall from the first to the second position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] Figures 1 to 14 each illustrate various elements and features of a building 10, as shown in Figure 2 (a single storey structure) and Figure 5 (a multi-storey structure), constructed in accordance with the method of the invention. : [0023] As depicted in Figure 1, the invention relates to a method of constructing a building 10 after a foundation 12 has been laid. The invention involves locating a plurality of uprights 14 on the foundation 12 in a position substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation 12.

[0024] Each wall 16 has a base portion 18 opposite a top portion 20 (see Figure 1A). In the method of the invention, each wall is initially positioned, in a first position, wherein the base portion 18 extends between two opposing uprights 14, : P22663s :

- pI 2 the top portion 20 lies remote from the uprights 14, and both the base and top : portions 18, 20 are in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the foundation . 12. : [0025] After positioning of the walls 16 into the first position as described above, a 5 the walls 16 are subjected to a finishing stage. It is beneficial to work on the walls in the first position as all parts of at least an inner surface of the wall are easily accessible to a worker. Contrast this with having to work on the wall when it is in the second or upright position. In this position, at least a worker will need a ladder to work on a top portion 20 of the wall.

[0026] During this finishing stage, accessories are built into the wall 16. Such accessories may, for example, include window frames, window sills, window glass, door jambs and doors, lintels, electrical connections, plumbing connections, and/or other architectural embellishments to name but a few. The finishing of each wall’s interior by application of paint, stucco or the like can also be effected when the wall 16 is in the first position. : [0027] Figure 2 illustrates the building 10 after each wall 16 is finished with windows and doors, elevated into the second position, and a roof built over the structure.

[0028] It will be appreciated that each upright 14 and each wall 16 can be a pre- fabricated unit with each wall placed into the first position before being pivotally raised into the second position. For instance, walls 16 can be pre-stressed concrete slabs while the uprights 14 can be either pre-stressed concrete columns

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) la, o or metal alloy columns. When each wall 16 is a prefabricated unit, it is also desirable to attend to the finishing of each wall’s exterior by application of paint, stucco or the like before the wall 16 is tilted.

SRE a [0029] Alternatively, each upright 14 is a casting, constructed in a mould for the : 5 upright (not shown), from a liquid-like castable raw material. Such casting is constructed on the foundation 12 while the mould is in a position substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation 12 before the wall 16 is positioned in the first position.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, each wall 16 is a casting constructed, in the first position, in a wall mould 15 (see Figure 10) from a liquid-like castable raw material 17 (hereinafter, and where the context supports the interpretation, reference to the wall includes the wall mould within which it is made). : [0031] The wall mould 15 includes an axle assembly 26 at a base. portion 18 thereof. The assembly provides a means for spacing the mould above the ground so that the wall is appropriately orientated vertically and horizontally orientated relatively to the foundation 12 to pivotally move from the first position to the second position.

[0032] Each upright can be moulded or prefabricated in two different forms: a corner upright 14 as depicted in Figures 1 and 8 and an interposing upright 14A, which is substantially “T” shaped in cross section, as depicted in Figures 6 and 7. . P22663/js

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[0033] The mould of each upright 14 can comprise additional formwork for moulding uprights of increased length for use in the building of multiple storey buildings as shown in Figure 5. Also, each mould can comprise formwork for moulding a cross beam 22 and an arched support 24 for the cross beam that extends between opposed uprights as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[0034] Each cross beam 22 is provided with a plurality of slots 28, as shown in

Figure 6A, for receiving rafters 30, each of which extends between cross beams 22 on opposing pairs of uprights. The rafters 30 will provide structure for a

Co ceiling/floor for an upper storey of the building (see Figure 5). _— : ~ 10 [0035] Typically, each upright mould includes a roof structure component 32 for facilitating the finishing of the building's roof as depicted in Figure 2. It will be appreciated that with a few of these in place any type of roof can easily be added to complete the building of, for example, a house or an office.

[0036] As can be seen from Figures 7A, each wall 16 has extending along each : 15 side, a sidewall 34, each of which tapers from the base 18 to the top portion of the wall 20. The tapered sidewalls thus provide, at the base portion of the wall, a : pair of feet 36 which provide support to the wall in the second position. - [0037] The cross sectional shape of a respective side of the wall is complimentary to an “L” shaped of a longitudinal recess 36 of an upright 14 thus providing a mating fit of each side of the wall, in the second position, with a respective upright (see Figure 7 and 8).

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[0038] The corner uprights 14 have two of these recessed formations diametrically opposed to one another to receive a wall each in perpendicular . orientation relatively to each other. This particular perpendicular arrangement is illustrated in Figure 8. Likewise, the interposing uprights 14A have two recessed formations but these formations are arranged to receive a wall each in a flanking arrangement. This particular flanking arrangement is illustrated in Figure 7 and : 7B. 2 [0039] Typically, each wall 16, after it is sufficiently cured, is pivoted from the : first position to the second position, whilst still within its mould 15, about a substantially horizontal axis. To facilitate this pivotal movement, tilting the base portion 18 of the wall onto the upper surface of the foundation 12, as illustrated in

Figure 9, the wall mould has to be elevated, in a horizontal planar respect, above the ground to a height at least equal to the height of the foundation above the ground surface 42. Vertical and horizontal orientation of the wall mould 15 relatively to the foundation 12 and the opposed uprights 14 is provided by the axle assembly 26. : | . [0040] The axle assembly 26 includes an axle 40 about which the wall mould is attached at a base portion thereof. This axle defines the horizontal axis about which the wall mould pivots. The assembly 26 also includes a vertical displacement means 44 and a horizontal displacement means 46.

[0041] Adjustment of the horizontal displacement means 46 moves the assembly 26, and the wall mould, horizontally towards or away from an exposed

P22663/js side 48 of the foundation 12, depending on requirement. Adjustment of the vertical displacement means 44 raises or lowers the height of the axle, again . depending on requirement. : [0042] The tilting of each wall 14 is foreseen to be actuated by any form of : 5 manual or mechanical means like a handle or cable system, electromechanical g : means or hydraulic means. Such a system is illustrated in Figure 11. ) [0043] Typically, the wall when cast is manufactured from concrete: alternatively, from a cementitious mixture, concrete mixture, concrete mixture with concrete admixture, reinforced concrete or pre-stressed concrete cast in a plastic or metallic mould capable of resisting tensile, compressive, and/or shear stresses.

[0044] The applicant believes that the present invention, at least in part addresses shortcomings in conventional wall construction methods and that it, at least in part, alleviates the disadvantages associated with these methods. . P22663/js

Claims

7 oom 7 AY CLAIMS [.. S

1. A method of constructing a building after a foundation has been laid, the oo "method included the steps of: : : (a) locating a plurality of uprights on the foundation in a position : : 5 substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation: (b) positioning at least one wall, having a base portion opposite a top portion, in a first position wherein the base portion extends between two opposing uprights, the top portion lies remote from the uprights, and the base and top portion are in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the foundation; and (c) moving the wall from the first position to a second position wherein

. the wall is brought to a position substantially perpendicular to a : plane of the foundation between the opposing uprights.

2. A method according to claim 1 which includes the additional step of working on the wall while it is located in the first position.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein working on the wall includes adding finishing accessories to the wall such as, for example, window frames, window sills, window glass, door jambs and doors, lintels, electrical connections, plumbing connections, and/or other architectural embellishments as applying.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each upright is a B casting constructed in a mould for the upright from a liquid-like castable - P22663/js raw material, such casting being constructed on the foundation in a position substantially perpendicular to a plane of the foundation before the } wall is positioned in the first position. Ce .

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each wall pivots about a hinge at a junction between a base of the wall and a peripheral edge of the foundation to raise the wall from the first position to the second position.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein each wall is a casting constructed in a mould for the wall from a liquid-like castable raw material while the } wall is positioned in the first position. .

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the hinge is part of the wall mauld. p DATED this 19" day of JANUARY 2011 McCALLUM RADEMEYER & FREIMOND Patent Agents for the Applicant P22663/js