WO2011093765A1

WO2011093765A1 - Building structure comprising building elements and means for interlocking the building elements

Info

Publication number: WO2011093765A1
Application number: PCT/SE2011/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Svensson
Original assignee: MEDIA OCH IT-SKOLAN I DJURSHOLM AB
Current assignee: MEDIA OCH IT-SKOLAN I DJURSHOLM AB
Priority date: 2010-01-29
Filing date: 2011-01-21
Publication date: 2011-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-29
Also published as: EP2529058A4; SE534480C2; EP2529058B1; EP2529058A1; SE1000073A1; RU2012136714A

Abstract

This invention relates to a building structure comprising a number of identical building elements (1) and means (9) for interlocking the building elements (1), wherein each building element (1) comprises at least two passages (3, 5, 7) intersecting at right angles. The invention is characterised in that the locking means consist of locking rods (9) received in the passages (3, 5, 7) and that the locking rods (9) bear partly against the walls of the passages (3, 5, 7) and partly against one another.

Description

BUILDING STRUCTURE COMPRISING BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MEANS FOR INTERLOCKING THE BUILDING ELEMENTS

Technical field of the invention

This invention relates to a building structure

comprising a number of building elements and means for

interlocking the building elements, wherein each building element comprises at least two intersecting passages. The passages preferably intersect at right angles.

Prior art

A block comprising a longitudinal first hole and a series of second holes intersecting the longitudinal first hole at right angles is already known from US 1 907 170. The second holes are situated at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the first hole. The block is designed to be used in the brickwork of open hearth furnaces or the like.

A hollow block with intersecting holes/passages is already known from US 7 191 571. The block is made of plastic material, preferably foam plastic material. The block is designed to be filled with concrete. Reinforcement and

reinforcement guides may be installed in the holes/passages.

A hollow building block which cooperates with a beam or the like is already known from US 5 826 394. The beam

comprises engagement means in the form of snap means designed to cooperate with openings in the hollow building block.

Objects and features of the invention

A primary object of this invention is to provide a building structure of the type defined in the introductory part, in which interlocking of the building elements forming part of the building structure is achieved by rod-shaped means .

Another object of this invention is that the locking means cooperate with one another and with cavities in the building elements forming part of the building structure.

Yet another object of this invention is that it provides a high degree of flexibility for the building structure according to this invention, in spite of the fact that it consists of identical building elements.

At least the primary object of this invention is achieved by means of a device having the features specified in the following independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Several embodiments of the building structure according to this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a

building structure according to this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the building

structure according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a building element;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the building element according to

Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the building element according to

Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the building element according to

Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a building structure according to this invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the building

structure according to Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative

embodiment of a building element according to this invention with associated locking rods;

Fig. 10 is a side view of the building element according to

Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an end view of the building element according to

Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another alternative

Fig. 13 is a side view/end view of the building element

according to Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a building structure according to this invention, in which the building structure comprises a number of building elements with associated locking rods;

Fig. 14A is a section through a building element with locking rods received in the building element;

Fig. 14B is a detail from Fig. 14A on a larger scale;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the building structure according to

Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an end view of the building structure according to

Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a

building structure according to this invention, in which the building structure comprises a number of building elements with associated locking rods;

Fig. 18 is a side view of the building structure according to

Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is an end view of the building structure according to

Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a

building structure according to this invention, in which the building structure comprises a number of building elements with associated locking rods; and Fig. 21 shows part of a building element forming part of the building structure according to Fig. 20.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The building structure shown in Fig. 1 comprises a number of building elements 1 generally of parallellepxpedal shape, wherein, according to the embodiment shown, the building elements 1 comprise a first longitudinal passage 3 having a circular cross section, three transverse second passages 5A, 5B, 5C having a circular cross section and three transverse third passages 7A, 7B, 7C. The first, second and third passages 3, 5, 7 have the same cross-sectional

dimensions, i.e. the circle defining the cross-sectional area of the passages 3, 5, 7 has the same diameter. A centre axis of the first passage 3 forms a right angle with the centre axes of the second passages 5. A centre axis of the first passage 3 forms a right angle with the centre axes of the third passages 7. The centre axes of the second passages 5 form a right angle with the centre axes of the third passages 7. The centre axis of the first passage 3 is situated in the same plane as the centre axes of the second passages 5. The centre axis of the first passage 3 is situated in the same plane as the centre axes of the third passages 7. A second passage 5 which intersects a third passage 7 has centre axes intersecting at one point.

The building elements 1 shown in Fig. 1 are interlocked in that identical locking rods 9 are received in the passages 3, 5, 7 of the building elements 1. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 2, the locking rods 9 have a cross section that can generally be compared to a "piece of cake". More precisely, the cross section is defined by two straight lines departing from a common point of intersection, the lines together forming an angle of 90°. The straight lines are connected at a distance from the point of intersection by means of a circular arc. Each locking rod 9 therefore

comprises two flat surfaces and a curved, circular cylindrical surface, the curved surface coming to bear against the wall of the associated passage 3, 5, 7. It should be noted in this connection that the circular cylindrical surface preferably has a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the passages 3, 5, 7.

In the building structure shown in Fig. 1, three locking rods in intersecting passages 3, 5, 7 are used for

interlocking the building elements 1. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 2, one locking rod is received in each passage 3, 5, 7 and the locking rods 9 define a joint where, according to the relevant embodiment, they intersect and bear against one another via the flat surfaces of each locking rod, while the curved surfaces of the locking rods 9 bear against the wall of the associated passage 3, 5, 7. As a result of the fact that the dimensions of the locking rods 9 are adapted to the dimensions of the passages 3, 5, 7, the locking rods 9 are locked relative to one another and relative to the walls of the passages 3, 5, 7. The only direction in which a locking rod 9 can move is in the longitudinal direction of the locking rod itself.

Figures 3-6 show a building element 101 generally of parallellepipedal shape and more precisely an essentially cubic shape. The building element 101 comprises a first passage 103 having a circular cross section, a second passage 105 having a circular cross section and a third passage 107 having a circular cross section. The first passage 103 generally extends in the horizontal direction of the building structure formed by the building elements 101. The first passage 103 extends along the principal plane formed by the building structure. The second passage 105 also extends in the horizontal direction, although the second passage 105 extends transversely to the first passage 103. The third passage 107 extends vertically in the building structure formed by the building elements 101, the third passage 107 extending transversely to both the first passage 103 and the second passage 105. The first, second and third passages 103, 105, 107 have the same cross-sectional dimensions, i.e. the circle defining the cross-sectional area of the passages 103, 105, 107 has the same diameter. A centre axis of the first passage 103 forms a right angle with the centre axis of the second passage 105. A centre axis of the first passage 103 forms a right angle with the centre axis of the third passage 107. The centre axis of the second passage 105 forms a right angle with the centre axis of the third passage 107. The centre axis of the first passage 103 is situated in the same plane as the centre axis of the second passage 105. The centre axis of the first passage 103 is situated in the same plane as the centre axis of the third passage 107. The centre axes of the passages 103, 105, 107 intersect at one point.

The building element 101 also comprises two plate-shaped elements 106 displaced relative to the main body of the building element 101 in the plane of the plate. These

plate-shaped elements 106 therefore partly overlap adjacent building elements 101, thereby contributing to improved interlocking of the building elements 101.

In the building structure shown in Figures 7-8, the building elements 101 are interlocked in that identical locking rods 109 are received in the passages 103, 105, 107 of the building elements 101. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 8, the locking rods 109 have a circular cross section. One part of the circular cylindrical surface defined by each locking rod 109 comes to bear against the circular wall of the associated passage 103, 105, 107. It should be noted in this connection that the circular cylindrical surface has a

substantially smaller radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the passages 103, 105, 107.

In the building structure shown in Figures 7 and 8, three locking rods 109 in intersecting passages 103, 105, 107 are used for interlocking the building elements 101. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 8, one locking rod 109 is received in each passage 103, 105, 107 and the locking rods 109 define a joint where they intersect, wherein, according to the embodiment shown, the locking rods 109 bear against one another via the circular cylindrical surfaces of each locking rod 109. As a result of the fact that the cross-sectional dimensions of the locking rods 109 are adapted to the

cross-sectional dimensions of the passages 103, 105, 107, the locking rods 109 are interlocked relative to one another and relative to the walls of the passages 103, 105, 107. However, the locking rods 109 can be displaced in their own

longitudinal direction and the locking rods 109 can moreover be rotated about their longitudinal centre axes.

The embodiment of a building element 201 according to this invention shown in Figures 9-11 defines a number of imaginary passages extending within the building element 201, generally of circular cylindrical shape and having an envelope surface traversed by a number of circular holes. Two holes situated diametrically one in front of the other define an imaginary passage in which a locking rod 209 having a circular cylindrical cross section can be received, the locking rod 209 extending in the longitudinal direction of the imaginary passage. These imaginary passages, which are thus defined by diametrically opposing holes in the envelope surface of the building element 201, correspond to the second and third passages in the embodiments described hereinabove. These passages are therefore designated by the reference numerals 205 and 207.

As will be clear from the end view according to Fig. 11, an opening is received in the respective end pieces 202 defining the ends of the building element 201. The opposing openings in the end pieces 202 define a first imaginary passage 203 of the building element 201. The outer contour of the first passage 203 is wavy with four semi-circles connected to one another. The resulting cross section therefore

comprises four circular recesses with a radius of curvature preferably corresponding to the radius of curvature of the cross section of a locking rod 209. As will be clear from Fig. 11, a locking rod 209 is received in a circular recess in the imaginary first passage 203.

The locking rods 209 received in the imaginary passages

203, 205, 207 cooperate in a manner corresponding to that of the embodiment according to Figures 3-8.

Although only one building element 201 is shown in Figures 9-11, a building structure with a plurality of

building elements 201 can be erected in a corresponding manner to that of the embodiments described hereinabove. It will thus be clear that openings in adjacent building elements 201 are situated one in front of the other.

The embodiment of a building element 301 according to this invention shown in Figures 12-13 defines a number of imaginary passages extending within the building element 301, generally of spherical shape and having an envelope surface traversed by a number of circular holes, the envelope surface being slightly flattened adjacent to the circular holes. Two holes situated diametrically one in front of the other define an imaginary passage in which a locking rod 309 having a circular cylindrical cross section can be received, the locking rod 309 extending in the longitudinal direction of the imaginary passage. These imaginary passages, which are therefore defined by diametrically opposing holes in the envelope surface of the building element 301, correspond to the first, second and third passages in the embodiments according to Figures 1-2 and Figures 3-8 respectively described hereinabove. These passages are therefore

designated by the reference numerals 303, 305, 307.

Reference should be made to the statements made hereinabove in connection with the embodiments according to Figures 3-8 and Figures 9-11 respectively with respect to the mutual cooperation of the locking rods 309 and their

cooperation with the imaginary passages 303, 305, 307.

Although only one building element 301 is shown in Figures 12-13, a building structure with a plurality of building elements 301 can be erected in a corresponding manner to that of the embodiments described hereinabove. It will thus be clear that openings in adjacent building elements 301 are situated one in front of the other.

Figures 14-16 show a building element 401 generally of parallellepipedal shape and more precisely a cubic shape. The building element 401 comprises a first passage 403 having a square cross section, a second passage 405 having a square cross section and a third passage 407 having a square cross section. The first passage 403 generally extends in the horizontal direction of the building structure formed by the building elements 401. The first passage 403 extends along the principal plane formed by the building structure. The second passage 405 also extends in the horizontal direction, although the second passage 405 extends transversely to the first passage 403. The third passage 407 extends vertically in the building structure formed by the building elements 401, the third passage 407 extending transversely to both the first passage 403 and the second passage 405. The first, second and third passages 403, 405, 407 have the same cross-sectional dimensions, i.e. the circle defining the cross-sectional area of the passages 403, 405, 407 has the same diameter. A centre axis of the first passage 403 forms a right angle with the centre axis of the second passage 405. A centre axis of the first passage 403 forms a right angle with the centre axis of the third passage 407. The centre axis of the second passage 405 forms a right angle with the centre axis of the third passage 407. The centre axis of the first passage 403 is situated in the same plane as the centre axis of the second passage 405. The centre axis of the first passage 403 is situated in the same plane as the centre axis of the third passage 407. The centre axes of the passages 403, 405, 407 intersect at one point. The building element 401 may be divided at 404, i.e. the building element 401 consists of two halves connected together in a suitable manner. It is also conceivable according to the invention for the building element to consist of several parts joined together in a suitable manner.

In the building structure shown according to Figures 14-16, the building elements 401 are interlocked in that identical locking rods 409 are received in the passages 403, 405, 407 of the building elements 401. As will be seen most clearly from Figures 15-16, the locking rods 409 have a square cross section, the cross-sectional area of a locking rod being essentially 25 % of the cross-sectional area of a passage 403, 405, 407. Two of the flat circumferential surfaces defined by each locking rod 409 come to bear against the walls of an associated passage 403, 405, 407 meeting at a corner.

The building structure shown in Figures 14-16 shows how three locking rods 409 in intersecting passages 403, 405, 407 are used for interlocking the building elements 401. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 14, a locking rod 409 can be received in some of the passages 403, 405, 407 and the three locking rods 409 define a joint where they intersect, wherein, according to the embodiment shown, the locking rods 409 bear against one another via two flat circumferential surfaces of each locking rod 409. As a result of the fact that the cross-sectional dimensions of the locking rods 409 are adapted to the cross-sectional dimensions of the passages 403, 405, 407, the locking rods 409 are locked relative to one another and relative to the walls of the passages 403, 405, 407. The locking rods 409 can only be displaced in their own

longitudinal direction. Locking rods having a circular cross section can be used in the embodiment according to Figures 14-16.

Fig. 14 also shows how a locking rod 409 can extend through the passages of the building element 401 in such a manner that the locking rod 409 is inclined relative to the centre line of the passage in which the locking rod 409 is received. It should also be noted that the inclined locking rod 409 can extend into adjoining passages in the same

direction .

Figures 14A and 14B show how adjacent building elements 401 are interconnected by means of locking rods 409A received in intersecting passages 403A, 405A and 407A. In the

embodiment shown, both the passages 403A, 405A and 407A and the locking rods 409A have a circular cross section. These passages and locking rods may also have the alternative cross sections described in this patent application.

Figures 17-19 show a building element 401 identical to the building element 401 in the embodiment according to

Figures 14-16. For this reason, this building element is designated by the same reference numeral 401. Reference should be made to the statements made hereinabove with respect to the embodiment of the building element 401.

In the building structure shown in Figures 17-19, two locking rods 509 in intersecting passages 403, 407 are used for interlocking the building elements 401. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 17, one locking rod 509 is received in each passage 403, 407 and the two locking rods 509 define a joint where they intersect, wherein, according to the

embodiment shown, the locking rods 509 bear against one another via two flat circumferential surfaces of each locking rod 509. As a result of the fact that the cross-sectional dimensions of the locking rods 509 are adapted to the

cross-sectional dimensions of the passages 403, 407, the locking rods 509 are locked relative to one another and relative to the walls of the passages 403, 407. The locking rods 509 can only be displaced in their own longitudinal direction. When only two locking rods 509 are used, these are situated in two parallel planes, both locking rods 509 being situated within the building structure in the embodiment shown in Figures 17-19. As the second passage 405 is not used, it could in principle be omitted from the configuration of locking rods 509 shown in Figures 17-19. This can be compared with the embodiment according to Figures 14-17 in which a locking rod 409 extends transversely to the principal plane defined by the building structure. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a building structure according to this invention in which a number of building elements 601 are joined together. A perspective view of the building element 601 is shown in Fig. 21. Looking at Fig. 20, it will be clear that the building elements 601 define

horizontal passages 603 and vertical passages, the horizontal and vertical passages intersecting at right angles. The passages 603 have a rectangular cross section. As will be clear from Fig. 20, locking rods 609 having a circular cross section are received in the horizontal and vertical passages 603. Some of the locking rods 609 are situated in the same horizontal or vertical passage 603 and some of the locking rods 609 extend through a number of horizontal and vertical passages 603, i.e. the last-mentioned locking rods 609 are inclined relative to the horizontal and vertical passages 603.

Several different materials are conceivable for the material of the building elements described hereinabove.

Concrete, ceramics, plastic, wood, metal and composite

materials can be mentioned by way of example. In the future, it may even be conceivable for graphene or similar atom-thin materials to be arranged in layers or integrated with concrete or alternative materials, i.e. a layer of concrete followed by a layer of graphene, etc.. Feasible modifications of the invention

Locking rods with various cross-sectional shapes, i.e. "piece of cake" cross section or circular cross section, are used for passages having a circular cross section in the embodiments of this invention described hereinabove. Locking rods having the same cross-sectional shape may of course be used for all of the building elements with passages having a circular cross section even if this is not shown explicitly in the embodiments described hereinabove. E.g. the building elements 1 can be used in combination with locking rods having a circular cross section provided that the cross-sectional dimensions of the locking rods are adapted to the

cross-sectional dimensions of the passages.

In the embodiments described hereinabove, the locking rods are hollow, i.e. tubular. According to this invention, it is conceivable for the locking rods to be homogeneous. If hollow locking rods are used, they can be used for wiring.

The length of the locking rods may vary. However, the locking rods must have a length such that they extend into two adjacent building elements.

The locking rods incorporated into the structure may be removable or embedded, i.e. a casting compound may be

introduced into the passages of the building elements.

The cavities incorporated into the building structure may be filled with a suitable material, e.g. concrete or insulating foam.

According to this invention, it is conceivable for the passages in the building elements to be provided with guides for the locking rods, wherein these guides may preferably consist of crosses which divide the cross section of the passage into four parts of equal size. It should thus be noted that this also applies to the passages 403A, 405A and 407A. The aim of the guides is to keep the locking rods in the position selected by the erector. In an embodiment of this kind with guides, there is no need for the locking rods to bear against one another in the region in which they intersect .

According to this invention, the building elements and the locking rods can be given a curved shape, as a result of which they can form vaults and arches, e.g. when building roof trusses, bridges and viaducts.

Although the building structure according to this invention is designed primarily for the construction of buildings and installations, it is also conceivable according to this invention for the building structure according to this invention to be produced on a small scale and then, e.g. it can be used as a toy or for the construction of models.

Claims

1. Building structure comprising a number of identical

building elements (1; 101; 201; 301; 401) and means (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 509) for interlocking the building elements (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 601), wherein the building elements (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 601), each individually or together with adjacent building elements, define at least two intersecting passages (3, 5, 7; 103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403, 405, 407; 403A, 405A, 407A; 603, 605, 607) with centre axes intersecting at one point,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the locking means consist of locking rods (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 409A; 509; 609)

received in the passages (3, 5, 7; 103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403, 405, 407; 403A, 405A, 407A; 603, 605, 607), that the locking rods (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 409A; 509; 609) define joints where they intersect and that the locking rods (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 409A; 509; 609) bear against one another at the joints or that the locking rods are received in guides in the region of the joints.

2. Building structure according to claim 1,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the locking rods (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 409A; 509; 609) bear against the walls of the passages (3, 5, 7; 103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403, 405, 407; 403A, 405A, 407A; 603, 605, 607).

3. Building structure according to claim 1 or claim 2,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that each locking rod (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 409A; 509; 609) is received in an associated passage (3, 5, 7; 103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403, 405, 407; 403A, 405A, 407A; 603, 605, 607) and that only one locking rod (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 409A; 509; 609) is received in one passage (3, 5, 7; 103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403, 405, 407; 403A, 405A, 407A; 603, 605, 607) .

4. Building structure according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the passages (3, 5, 7) have a circular cross section and that the locking rods (9)

comprise a portion with a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the circular cross section of the passages ( 3 , 5 , 7 ) .

5. Building structure according to claim 4,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the locking rods (9) comprise flat portions forming a right angle with one another.

6. Building structure according to any of claims 1-3,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that both the passages (103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403A, 405A, 407A) and the locking rods (109; 209; 309; 409A) have a circular cross section and that the radius of curvature of the cross section of the locking rods (109; 209; 309; 409A) is smaller than the radius of curvature of the cross section of the passages (103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403A, 405A, 407A) .

7. Building structure according to any of claims 1-3,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that both the passages (403, 405, 407; 603, 605, 607) and the locking rods (409; 509; 609) have a rectangular cross section.

8. Building structure according to claim 7,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that both the passages (403, 405, 407) and the locking rods (409) have a square cross section .

9. Building structure according to any of claims 1-3,

c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that each building element (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 601) comprises three passages (3, 5, 7; 103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403, 405, 407; 403A, 405A, 407A; 603, 605, 607) intersecting at right angles and that locking rods (9; 109; 209; 309; 409; 509) are

received in all of the passages (3, 5, 7; 103, 105, 107; 203, 205, 207; 303, 305, 307; 403, 405, 407; 403A, 405A, 407A; 603, 605, 607) .