The present invention relates to a method of making parts of housing such as walls or roofs.
Today many people in the world are without decent housing, or any housing at all. In addition, houses that are off-grid have no energy supply, beyond what can be obtained from primitive means, such as wood, kerosene, etc. A solar powered eco-friendly home or “solar bungalow” would be ideal for solving this need. In much of Africa, and in other parts of the world, families without access to electricity rely on kerosene lamps. Expensive, unsafe and unhealthy, they also provide only a dim light. But while solar alternatives are far cleaner and cheaper, widespread use of this technology will rely on innovative forms of payment and distribution. Inexpensive housing units that offer the possibility of simultaneously attaching solar panels will be of great benefit. Such housing units will have to be affordable and preferably eco-friendly. Housing units comprised of compressed earth bricks are an example of the kind of buildings needed. Corresponding inexpensive housing parts such as roofs for these housing units are of equal importance in order to bring down the overall price of the housing unit.
Accordingly, what is desired is a method of making inexpensive housing components that use fiberglass and concrete but does not use steel in any form. A method is desired that is a total structural housing part system. A method is desired that uses a single layer rigid fiberglass form potentially well-suited for a compressed earth brick (CEB) bungalow design. Also it is desired that the form be free of iron or wire meshes and be continuous without voids between a top and bottom panel of concrete. It is also desired to provide a method that imparts additional strength and creates a flat surface for a floor or roof for instance, on which a second story for living space or storage can be built. It is further desired that fiberglass resin be used as a form and be able to distort in two directions allowing a concrete shell to handle structural work. A method is desired that will produce a structure that is light and therefore less costly to ship. The method should provide a permanent housing component that is meant to span long distances. The method is further desired that will provide housing components that have internal strength.
A housing component formed of a plurality of single rigid fiberglass arch forms secured in place with a binder such as cement or eco-bricks. The forms are placed parallel to each other and secured on or in an edifice with a temporary shore that receives and retains a binder. The temporary shore is removed once the binder cures.
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As mentioned above, systems 100, 200 provide fiberglass-resin forms that once secured are made permanent by pouring cement 110 on the forms 120, 220 on site. Temporary shoring is required as the cement 110 cures. The forms 120, 220 are stackable and interlocking and can be packed in a container for shipping. Each form 120, 220 is a single rigid layer of fiberglass per arch. In an alternative embodiment, instead of using cement 110 eco-bricks (ecbs) may be used as filler material. The above-described systems 100, 200 may equally be used to form other housing components such as a floor or walls.
While the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, those of normal skill in the art will appreciate the modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and the spirit of the present invention. Such modifications and variations are envisioned to be within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/772,040, filed Mar. 4, 2013, entitled “Method of Making a Roof,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61772040 | Mar 2013 | US |