BEAM OR POST FOR A CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

Abstract

A hollow beam or post for a construction system, the beam or post comprising a core element formed of a straight hollow central element having a cross-section provided with four diametrically opposed hollow outer projections in the shape of outwardly flaring dovetails, which are arranged crosswise. Said four hollow outer projections have narrowed inner ends which are spaced apart from the narrowed inner ends of the adjacent hollow outer projections and are connected by segments of the hollow central element. Four straight hollow surrounding elements are assembled around the core element to form a square surrounding the core element, the four surrounding elements having an inner cross-sectional shape that is complementary to the four diametrically opposed outer projections of the core element.

Description

The present invention relates to a beam or post for a construction system, in particular for a building module, a dwelling or a garage, or furniture, the main elements of which may be made of plastic, in particular recycled plastic or recycled wood, or any other object constructed by assembling this construction system, the elements of which may be made of plastic and/or composites.

JPS4989010U discloses a construction system for a shelf consisting of a core element formed of a profiled straight central element, and straight surrounding elements that assemble around the core element in accordance with its profile, forming a square that surrounds the core element. These elements are made of synthetic resin, a metallic material or similar, integrally molded to a suitable length by stretching. This construction system comprises a column in the form of a square pillar of rectangular shape with grooves in all four corners. The construction system further comprises four solid front plates, each comprising an inclined edge at each end designed to slide into the grooves in the four corners of the square pillar. A shelf board can be attached to the front plate by screws passing through a through-hole in the front plate. The purpose of this system is to not reveal the screws that support the shelves.

This type of construction is designed for furniture with a very limited load-bearing capacity, and can never be used in a residential construction system. The load which should be considered to create a floor for a house (instead of a shelf) would impose a width of support board that is too thick, without however guaranteeing the solidity of the building. The same applies to the construction of the walls forming the backbone of a building, and which must also withstand the wind in accordance with very stringent standards. Therefore, the application of this system is very limited.

EP3781754, on behalf of the applicant, discloses a construction system for a building module, comprising a plurality of core construction elements, each of which has a solid cross-section comprising two main arms of equal length, the main arms intersecting at right angles at the mid-point. Each core construction element has a plane of symmetry around the axes of each main arm, with the main arms optionally terminating at their ends in transverse portions whose length is less than the length of the main arms. The solid central cross is surrounded by a plurality of surrounding construction elements of the core elements. Each surrounding element is made up of four partial surrounding parts that are assembled around a core element. The partial surrounding parts are solid and each has a cross-section essentially of an isosceles right-angled triangle comprising one long side and two inclined sides that form a right angle. The four partial surrounding parts, when assembled, are arranged with their long sides outwards and the inclined sides terminating at a right angle inwards towards the center of the cross of a core element, thus forming a square surrounding the cross of the core element, these triangular partial surrounding parts having openings and/or cut-outs that surround the cross of the core element.

Such a construction system is easy to assemble and robust.

The present invention proposes a beam or a post for creating a construction system whose assembly, for a large number of buildings, is simplified and even more rigid with an even smaller number of standardized parts used to constitute the construction elements.

The present invention therefore optimizes and rationalizes the use of beams or posts, benefiting from the best ratio in terms of architectural modularity, as well as structural forces.

A further aim of the present invention is to propose a beam or post for creating a lightweight construction system whose assembly, for a large number of buildings, is simplified and even more rigid with an even smaller number of standardized parts used to constitute the construction elements.

In accordance with the invention, these aims are achieved by means of a hollow beam or post for a construction system, the beam or post comprising a core element formed of a profiled straight hollow central element, and straight surrounding elements which are assembled around the core element in accordance with its profile, forming a square surrounding the core element. The core element formed of a straight hollow central element having a cross-section provided with four diametrically opposed hollow outer projections in the shape of outwardly flaring dovetails, which are arranged crosswise, said four hollow outer projections having narrowed inner ends which are spaced apart from the narrowed inner ends of the adjacent hollow outer projections and are connected by segments of the hollow central element. The straight surrounding elements are hollow and each have an inner wall whose internal shape is complementary to the four diametrically opposed outer projections of the core element and its segments when the straight surrounding elements are assembled around the core element.

In one embodiment, an inner end of a hollow outer projection of the core element is connected, by an extension of a segment of the hollow central element, to the opposite outer end of said hollow outer projection.

In this embodiment, each surrounding element comprises two hollow inner projections which engage around the dovetail shape of one of the diametrically opposed outer projections of the core element, the hollow inner projections of two adjacent surrounding elements filling the space around a segment of the hollow central element and between two adjacent hollow projections of the core element.

In another embodiment, an inner end of a hollow outer projection of the core element is connected, by an extension of a segment of the central hollow element, to the opposite inner end of said hollow outer projection.

Preferably, the hollow inner projections of each surrounding element are supported by a part that forms an essentially straight outer side of the beam or post.

In this preferential embodiment, said part supporting the inner projections of each surrounding element comprises inclined flanks provided on one side with a projection and on the other side with a recess, said projection on the inclined flank of a part fitting into the recess on the inclined flank of an adjacent part when the beam or post is assembled.

Still according to this preferential embodiment, the part supporting the inner projections of each surrounding element comprises a straight outer face with recesses, said outer face defining on each side, with an inclined flank thereof, an opening which extends along the beam or post.

In one embodiment, the part supporting the inner projections of each surrounding element comprises a plurality of openings that extend along the beam or post and are capable of receiving inserts for connecting two beams or posts by a butt-joint.

In this embodiment, each insert has a rib arranged to lock the inserted insert in an opening in the surrounding element.

Associated with an elongated profile of essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape provided with two projections on one side and a recess on the opposite side, the projections are arranged to be assembled to the straight outer face of a surrounding element of the beam or post with its recesses.

In a further embodiment, each core element is associated with two straight surrounding elements which are assembled around the core element to form a square. Each of the two straight surrounding elements comprises an inner wall which, when the straight surrounding elements are assembled around the core element, covers two outer projections of the hollow central element as well as the segment connecting these two outer projections.

In this embodiment, the inner wall of each straight surrounding element comprises a plurality of hollow outer profiles arranged outside the inner wall. Said hollow outer profiles cover the outer projections as well as the segment connecting these two outer projections. In this case, the hollow outer profiles associated with two outer projections of a straight surrounding element can be spaced apart to together form an essentially straight outer side of the beam or post.

The present invention also relates to an assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system, comprising a plurality of beams of all the same length and a plurality of posts of all the same length. During assembly, particularly for the posts, the dimensions will be adjusted based on the structure to be erected.

The invention also relates to an assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system, wherein at least one beam or at least one post is reinforced by a cylindrical or tubular part inserted into the hollow of the central element of a core element.

Preferably, the beams and/or posts are assembled by a butt joint by inserts inserted into the ends of the openings extending along the surrounding elements.

In multi-story structures, two adjacent sides of a central post are each attached to another post, the height of the structure being determined by the length of the central post.

According to the present invention, constructions can be made in 6 directions (up, down, left, right, front, back).

The features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description of several embodiments given only by way of example with reference to the schematic figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a post or beam according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a partial view of a tubular reinforcing element;

FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of a central core element;

FIG. 3′ shows a top view of another type of central core element;

FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective view of an intermediate support profile;

FIG. 5A shows a partial view of a straight hollow surrounding element;

FIG. 5B shows a partial view of a variant of a straight hollow surrounding element;

FIG. 5C shows a top view of another variant of a straight hollow surrounding element;

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of an insert;

FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a tube bracket;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an assembled construction module;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C each show a sub-assembly of the construction module shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a basic construction module;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an assembly of four basic construction modules;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a perspective view of a floor designed to be installed in a building according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a floor reinforcement;

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C each show a cross-sectional view of a floor profile shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a floor arranged between beams; and

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D show accessories for securing the posts;

FIGS. 16A and 16B show a front and perspective view of a type of D-profile;

FIGS. 17A and 17B show a perspective view and a side view of a fastening element between two posts or beams;

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a profile end;

FIG. 19 shows a partial view of beams assembled by fastening elements;

FIG. 20 shows an exploded view of fastening elements and end caps designed to fasten and receive beams according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 shows a partial perspective view of an assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of an assembly with a floor part and a wall part;

FIG. 23 shows a simplified and lightweight version of a beam element with two complementary elements that can be joined together;

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a simplified and lightweight version of a beam element;

FIG. 25A shows a perspective view of a profile end for lightweight structures;

FIG. 25B shows a perspective view of a fastening element between two posts or beams for a lightweight construction; and

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of a lightweight structure assembled using the profiles shown in FIG. 23.

The invention proposes a hollow beam or post for a construction system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the beam or post comprises a core element A formed of a straight hollow central element 7 having a cross-section provided with four diametrically opposed hollow outer projections 1 in the shape of outwardly flaring dovetails, which are arranged crosswise, these four hollow outer projections 1 having narrowed inner ends 2 which are spaced apart from the narrowed inner ends of the adjacent hollow outer projections and are connected by segments 3 of the hollow central element.

The beam or post comprises four straight hollow surrounding elements B which are assembled around the core element A to form a square surrounding the core element A, the four surrounding elements B having an inner cross-sectional shape that is complementary to the four diametrically opposed outer projections 1 of the core element A.

As shown in FIG. 3, an inner end 2 of a hollow outer projection 1 of the core element is connected, by an extension 4 of a segment 3 of the hollow central element, to the opposite outer end 5 of said hollow outer projection 1.

FIG. 3′ shows a top view of another type of central core element. In this embodiment, an inner end 2 of a hollow outer projection 1 of the core element is connected, by an extension of a segment of the hollow central element, to the opposite inner end of this hollow outer projection 1. This embodiment further reinforces the structure of the core element.

FIG. 4 shows an intermediate support profile D designed to be associated with a beam or post. The elongated profile D, essentially rectangular in cross-section, is provided with two projections 15 on one side and a recess 16 on the opposite side, the projections 15 are arranged to assemble with the straight outer face of a surrounding element B of the beam or post with its recesses 10A, 10B. In this example, an additional reinforcement 25 is arranged on the projection 16 so as to reinforce the profile D over all or part of its length, based on the length of said additional reinforcement 25.

As shown in FIG. 5A, each surrounding element B has two hollow inner projections 6 which engage around the dovetail shape of one of the diametrically opposed outer projections of the core element A (see FIG. 1), the hollow inner projections 6 of two adjacent surrounding elements B filling the space around a segment 3 (see FIG. 3) of the hollow central element and between two adjacent hollow projections 6 of the core element.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the hollow inner projections 6 of each surrounding element B (FIG. 5A) are supported by a part 10 that forms an essentially straight outer side of the beam or post.

FIG. 5C shows a top view of another variant of a straight hollow surrounding element, or profile B, with three elements aligned for an even more simplified construction.

The part 10 supporting the inner projections of each surrounding element B comprises inclined flanks 8, 9 provided on one side with a projection 8A and on the other side with a recess 9A, this projection 8A on the inclined flank 8 of one part fitting into the recess 9A on the inclined flank 9 of an adjacent part when the beam or post is assembled.

The part 10 supporting the inner projections 6 of each surrounding element B has a straight outer face with recesses 10A, 10B, said outer face defining on each side, with an inclined flank thereof 8, 9, an opening 10A′, 10B′ which extends along the beam or post.

The part 10 supporting the inner projections 6 of each surrounding element B comprises a plurality of openings 11 that extend along the beam or post and are capable of receiving inserts 12 (see FIG. 6A) for rigidly connecting two beams or posts by means of a butt-joint.

Each insert 12 comprises a rib 13 arranged to lock the insert 12 inserted in an opening 11 of the surrounding element B.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a variant of a straight hollow surrounding element enables inserts to be inserted and continuity to be ensured between two beams or posts without said continuity being interrupted, particularly thanks to the groove 14 arranged in the opening 10A, 10B which extends along the beam or post.

The beam or post, associated with an elongated profile D of essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape provided with two projections 15 on one side and a recess 16 on the opposite side, the projections 15 are arranged to assemble with the straight outer face of a surrounding element B of the beam or post with its recesses 10A, 10B.

As shown in FIG. 7, an assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system comprises a plurality of beams of all the same length and a plurality of posts of all the same length.

In one variant, the system according to the invention usually comprises a plurality of core construction elements 1 and a plurality of surrounding construction elements 2 of the core elements, each of a standard length or in several standardized lengths.

When assembling a structure, and for improved reinforcement, at least one beam or post is reinforced by a cylindrical or tubular part 17 (see FIG. 2) inserted into the hollow 7 of the central element of a core element A, as well as a tube bracket 21 (see FIG. 6B). The tube bracket 21 further comprises four strips designed to fit into the grooves of the surrounding profiles B.

An assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system according to claim 11, wherein the beams and/or posts are butt-jointed by inserts 12 inserted in the ends 11 of the openings extending along the surrounding elements (B).

As shown in FIG. 7, the two adjacent sides of the central corner post are each attached to another post, the height of the construction being determined by the length of the central corner post.

When using beams or posts for dwellings, it is important to consider that the standard spacing between two posts is 325 cm, and that the standard spacing between the beams, thus defining the height, is 280 cm.

As shown in FIG. 9, the module built is a 740 cm square to which 15 cm of external insulation must be added, that is 755 cm on one side with a central intermediate post under the beams at a distance of 325 cm from the corner posts. Said configuration gives a living area of 50.4 m2 with a single central post in the space, the other posts and beams being in the walls.

In this example, the standard module is built with ten 680-cm beams and nine posts (five 280-cm intermediate posts and four 340-cm posts), representing a total of 95.6 meters of profile A, 382.4 meters of profile B and 22.4 meters of profile D.

As shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B and 19, profile D′ has been slightly modified compared to profile D shown in FIG. 4, notably to fully match the elongated profile B and form a more solid structure. The elongated profile D′ is provided with two projections 15 on one side which are in direct contact with a surrounding element B without there being a gap between the two parts which would weaken the assembled structure.

Thus, a neighboring standard module sharing one face represents 77.8 meters of profile A, 311.2 meters of profile B and 16.8 meters of profile D.

In the same way, the ratio improves the more surfaces are shared, such that a standard single-story module sharing a ceiling/floor represents 61.6 meters of profile A, 246.4 meters of profile B and 22.4 meters of profile D.

Based on the above information, a building, for example a 151.2 m2 house composed of three standard modules, two side-by-side and the third upstairs, represents: 235 meters of profile A, 940 meters of profile B and 61.6 meters of profile D, making a total of 1236.6 linear meters of profiles.

This standard configuration is given as an example only, and the dimensions may vary without causing structural problems.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, an assembly of four basic construction modules makes it possible to extend the living area while saving on the number of posts/beams per square meter, particularly because there is no need to double the posts at each junction between two basic modules.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the construction can be self-supporting on piles, piers or aprons.

The construction system uses standard length A, B and D profiles, facilitating pre-assembly in units of posts, intermediate posts, beams and ½ beams for faster assembly. However, this pre-assembly is mainly suitable for two-level structures (ground floor+one story).

For taller configurations, such as that shown in FIG. 7, or those requiring posts and/or beams longer than ½ a 340-cm beam, the assembly has been designed so as to enable a post or beam to be formed by alternately assembling profiles A and B of intermediate length like puzzle pieces. This assembly produces a continuous post or beam, thus avoiding fragile connection zones. By maintaining the correct distances between the interruption in any of the five profiles, the post or beam retains its structural homogeneity.

To further strengthen the connections between interrupted profiles, standard slots have been provided in the design to accommodate standard U-shaped (aluminum) profile ends or inserts 12.

Profile A and profile D have been designed to receive reinforcement tubes (steel or composite projection) thus making it possible to stiffen the beam or post, if necessary, as well as the continuous beam and post assemblies, guaranteeing increased strength at structural corners.

To construct a building with five habitable floors+roof, an original assembly was devised, consisting of overlapping three two-story structures to make six landings, each of the three structures being structurally independent of one other, although connected by their own corner posts. This assembly fully respects the configuration of the standard module and does not alter the 51.2 m2 of living space.

Thanks to this assembly, the five superimposed stories+roofs have structural forces and moments equivalent to those of two superimposed modules.

This slab-fixed configuration only slightly increases the linear meters of profiles: as two of the beams at the top of the three overlapped structures rest on the top of the posts, thus avoiding the need to support profile D.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the outer corner structure provides the 5th and 6th landings with, in this example, a height of 18.90 meters. As shown in FIG. 8B, the first intermediate corner structure provides the 2nd and 4th landings with, in this example, a height of 12.70 meters. As shown in FIG. 8A, the outer corner structure provides the 1st and 3rd landings with, in this example, a height of 9.60 meters.

For assembly, profiles A, B and D slide relative to one another. Deliberately staggering the assembly of the profiles avoids creating weak zones in the structure of the post or continuous beam. Lightweight and easy to handle, they can be built directly on-site, like a jigsaw puzzle, up to or very close to the desired length before adjustment.

B/B and D/D profile interruptions are reinforced by inserting standard U and/or A and D profiles through the tubes.

The posts or beams of the present invention can be made of plastic, in particular recycled plastic or recycled wood, enabling a robust construction using a reduced number of standardized parts to constitute the construction elements.

The hollow body of profiles A and B is designed, for example, to accommodate wiring or piping. It can also be used for insulation or even for reinforcement by filling with hardened earth or cement, for example.

Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to create a post or a beam of infinite length by the successive addition of profiles A, B of variable length, intermittently interrupted, relative to one another, in particular by the arrangement of inserts.

In order not to weaken the structure of each post or beam, a reinforcing tube or stiffener can be arranged in the housings of profiles A and B, notably by sliding.

As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, the assembly of a six-floor building is achieved in this example by inserting two rectangles perpendicularly into a rectangle, and by superimposing their sides lengthwise and/or widthwise such that they intersect without interfering to form story levels. The successive floors and/or ceilings of these three load-bearing cubic structures of varying heights are overlapped, but independent in their assembled posts and beams.

Of course, the number of stories may differ from six stories, and may be much higher, for example thirty stories.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, floors can be arranged to be situated in a building according to the present invention. Ceilings and floors or walls are made up of a latticework of beams or posts P1, P2 which are interconnected by floor reinforcements 20.

As shown in FIG. 12, the floor reinforcement 20 comprises through-holes 29 to allow the passage of screws or nails designed to secure the beam. The floor beam or post may be of various shapes, but is preferably essentially rectangular in cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C. The beams shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C comprise openings, for example in the shape of dovetails (FIG. 13A) or corner grooves (FIG. 13B), which allow these beams to be coupled with other construction elements.

As shown in FIG. 14, a floor consists of a first elongated profile P1 of essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape (see, for example, the profiles shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B), each end of the first elongated profile P1 resting on a shoe assembly 18 (see FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C) comprising a tenon 19 arranged to be assembled with a recess 10A, 10B, and with a second elongated profile P2 of essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape, each end of the second elongated profile P2 resting on a shoe assembly 18 comprising a tenon 19 arranged to be assembled with the other recess 10A, 10B of the surrounding element B, the first elongated profile P1 and the second elongated profile P2 being perpendicular to one another. As shown in FIG. 15C, the U-shaped tenon 19 is connected to a chamfered part 22, by screwing in this example, such that when the operation of screwing in the chamfered part 22 and the U-shaped tenon 19 causes the two opposing lateral parts of said U-shaped tenon 19 to move apart, the tenon, shoe and chamfered part assembly is locked in the recesses 10A, 10B.

Thus, the beams have two symmetrical rails, or recesses 10A, 10B along their lengths, which are also used to slide and position the support tooling in the form of a shoe assembly 18, 19, for holding the joists, notably made of wood, WPC, etc., of a floor and/or ceiling.

In addition to forming floors and/or ceilings, posts-beams in the same configuration can be arranged so as to form internal partitions in order to delimit spaces and rooms, the partitions being orthogonal relative to a floor or ceiling.

The spaces between the elongated profiles P1 and the elongated profiles P2 allow the integration of elements required for the assembled part to be used, such as insulation, wiring or piping.

The upper recess 10A is used to attach the shoe assemblies lengthwise, while the lower recess 10B is used to attach the shoe assemblies widthwise, thus forming a latticework of evenly-spaced perpendicular joists. A cross-shaped floor reinforcement 20 is designed to connect the lower joists with the upper one when they intersect, in order to stiffen the assembly and reinforce it structurally (see FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 19, a post assembly consisting of four surrounding elements B, surrounding a core element A, are connected with profiles D and reinforcing brackets 27. Parts of the floors P can also be seen in FIG. 19. In this example, the floor profiles P are connected to the peripheral structure by shoes SP, as also shown in FIG. 15D.

Such an assembly is formed using a structure such as that shown in FIG. 20, with profile ends 28 arranged to attach to the ends of each assembled beam or post, brackets 27 arranged to hold and reinforce the assembled structure, and supports 26 which serve as a base for the beginning and end of the beams and reinforcement pieces (see FIGS. 17A, 17B and FIG. 20).

In the example shown in FIG. 21, the assembly is carried out in such a way that the upper central beam B2 and the lower central beam B3 are arranged perpendicular to each other, enabling fewer structural elements to be used without weakening the structure. In fact, the upper horizontal central beam and the lower horizontal central beam at the bottom are perpendicular to each other, and this arrangement means, thanks to supporting calculations, that the reinforcement profile D as shown in FIG. 22 is no longer needed, and that strength is ensured even if the same building is built on two levels.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the upper central beam B2 and the lower central beam B3 are arranged in parallel. In this configuration, according to this arrangement, the reinforcement profile D arranged at the ends of the assembly reinforces the structure. In this example, the housing module assembly comprises a wall part M and a floor part PP.

According to one embodiment for constructions with a lightweight structure as shown in FIG. 26, a beam or post wherein each core element A (not shown) is connected to two straight surrounding elements B′ is assembled around the core element A to form a square. Each of the two straight surrounding elements B′ comprises an inner wall 23 (see FIG. 23) which, when the straight surrounding elements B′ are assembled around the core element A (not shown), covers two outer projections 1 of the hollow central element 7 as well as the segment 3 connecting these two outer projections (1).

FIG. 24 shows part of a lightweight beam. To form the complete beam, two beams B′ must be joined together, for example by sliding through runners arranged at the longitudinal ends of said beam B′. FIG. 25 shows a profile end 25′ for lightweight structures which, when fitted, strengthens the post and enables it to be connected to other construction elements.

In the example shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall 23 of each straight surrounding element B′ comprises a plurality of hollow outer profiles 24 arranged outside the inner wall 23, these hollow outer profiles 24 covering the outer projections 1 as well as the segment 3 (see FIG. 1) connecting these two outer projections 1 (see FIG. 1). Thus, the external hollow profiles 24 of a straight surrounding element B′ connected to two outer projections 1 are spaced apart and together form an essentially straight outer side of the beam or post. In the same way, the outer hollow profiles 24 of two superimposed straight surrounding elements B′ are spaced apart, but in this case their separated inner walls 23 simply touch.

In the example shown in FIG. 26, such an assembly is formed using a structure such as that shown in FIG. 23, with profile ends 25′ arranged to attach to the ends of each assembled beam or post, brackets 27 arranged to hold and reinforce the assembled structure, and supports 31 which serve as a base for the beginning and end of the beams and reinforcement pieces.

A housing module according to the present invention has the advantage of being quick and easy to assemble, and complies with the standards for load-bearing structures.

In all embodiments, plastic is understood to mean any material that can be recycled (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PET, PEF, PS, ABS, etc.). Preferably, the recovered plastic parts can be ground and shredded. Once shredded, the plastic is washed and dried before being prepared for extrusion. The polymers are melted by heat to obtain a uniform paste. After a succession of conventional steps, a grain is obtained. The granules are then extracted from the extruder. Finally, the grains can be used to manufacture the construction elements according to the present invention. Similarly, shredded, ground and recycled wood or recycled plastic/wood composites can also be used.

Construction elements can be manufactured by 3D printing, injection molding or other methods.

The construction elements can also be made of composite materials.

Claims

1. A hollow beam or post for a construction system, the beam or post comprising: a core element formed of a straight profiled hollow central element, andstraight surrounding elements; which are assembled around the core element in correspondence with the profile thereof, forming a square surrounding the core element,whereinthe core element formed of a straight hollow central element having a cross-section provided with four diametrically opposed hollow outer projections in the shape of outwardly flaring dovetails, which are arranged crosswise, these four hollow outer projections having narrowed inner ends which are spaced apart from the narrowed inner ends of the adjacent hollow outer projections and are connected by segments of the hollow central element, andthe straight surrounding elements are hollow and each has an inner wall whose internal shape is complementary to the four diametrically opposed outer projections of the core element and its segments when the elements are assembled around the core element.

2. The beam or post according to claim 1, wherein an inner end of a hollow outer projection of the core element is connected, by an extension of a segment of the hollow central element, to the opposite outer end of said hollow outer projection.

3. The beam or post according to claim 1, wherein an inner end of a hollow outer projection of the core element is connected, by an extension of a segment of the hollow central element, to the opposite inner end of said hollow outer projection.

4. The beam or post according to claim 1, wherein each surrounding element comprises two hollow inner projections which engage around the dovetail shape of one of the diametrically opposed outer projections of the core element, the hollow inner projections of two adjacent surrounding elements filling the space around a segment of the central hollow element and between two adjacent hollow projections of the core element.

5. The beam or post according to claim 4, wherein the hollow inner projections of each surrounding element are supported by a part forming an essentially straight outer side of the beam or post.

6. The beam or post according to claim 5, wherein said part which supports the inner projections of each surrounding element comprises inclined flanks provided on one side with a projection and on the other side with a recess, this projection on the inclined flank of one part fitting into the recess on the inclined flank of an adjacent part when the beam or post is assembled.

7. The beam or post according to claim 6, wherein said part supporting the inner projections of each surrounding element comprises a straight outer face with recesses, said outer face defining on each side, with an inclined flank thereof, an opening which extends along the beam or post.

8. The beam or post according to claim 5, wherein said part supporting the inner projections of each surrounding element comprises a plurality of openings that extend along the beam or post and that are capable of receiving inserts for connecting two beams or posts by means of a butt-joint.

9. The beam or post according to claim 8, wherein each insert comprises a rib arranged to lock the insert inserted in an opening of the surrounding element.

10. The beam or post according to claim 7, associated with an elongated profile of an essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape provided with two projections on one side and a recess on the opposite side, the projections being arranged to assemble with the straight outer face of a surrounding element of the beam or post with its recesses.

11. The beam or post according to claim 7, associated with a first elongated profile of an essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape, each end of the first elongated profile resting on a shoe assembly comprising a tenon arranged to be assembled with a recess, and with a second elongated profile of an essentially rectangular cross-sectional shape, each end of the second elongated profile resting on a shoe assembly comprising a tenon arranged to be assembled with the other recess of the surrounding element, the first elongated profile and the second elongated profile being perpendicular to one another.

12. The beam or post according to claim 1, wherein each core element is associated with two straight surrounding elements which are assembled around the core element forming a square, each one of the two straight surrounding elements comprising an inner wall which, when the straight surrounding elements are assembled around the core element, covers two outer projections of the hollow central element as well as the segment; connecting these two outer projections.

13. The beam or post according to claim 12, wherein the inner wall of each straight surrounding element comprises a plurality of hollow outer profiles arranged outside the inner wall, these hollow outer profiles covering the outer projections as well as the segment connecting these two outer projections.

14. An assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of beams of all the same length and a plurality of posts of all the same length.

15. The assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system according to claim 14, wherein at least one beam or at least post is reinforced by a cylindrical or tubular part inserted into the hollow of the central element of a core element.

16. The assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system according to claim 14, wherein the beams and/or posts are assembled by a butt-joint by inserts inserted in the ends of the openings extending along the surrounding elements.

17. The assembly of several hollow beams or posts for a construction system according to of claim 14, wherein two adjacent sides of a central post are each attached to another post, the height of the construction being determined by the length of the central post.