The invention relates to a set of elements for constructing a wooden wall. It also relates to a method for using such elements.
A wall refers to a partition or barrier, which may or may not be load-bearing, of a building. During the construction of a building, it is known to mount the walls, both outside and inside, from building elements such as concrete blocks or bricks. The use of these different elements requires the use of a binder. Aside from a relatively heavy weight, using bricks or concrete blocks leads to significant civil engineering work to produce the foundations. Furthermore, the very nature of the materials used frequently involves the use of additional insulation, the bricks and concrete blocks not having an optimal thermal insulation coefficient.
As an alternative to these elements, wood is used as construction material. Structures are in particular known that are made from round wood, commonly called Scandinavian structures, where wooden logs, which are generally cylindrical with a circular section, are stacked to form the walls of the building. These logs are attached to one another using a male/female-type connecting system, for example, slots receiving tabs. Such logs require a relatively complex implementation, with particular know-how to produce sealed connections between the logs. Furthermore, using wooden logs involves reacting play between the logs, after the latter have completely dried.
To produce wood walls more easily, WO-A-2004/088057 discloses rectangular wooden bricks, four surfaces of which are provided with slots making it possible to stack them and butt them together by inserting tabs into the slots. The stacked bricks are maintained relative to one another by reinforcing tubes inserted into holes formed in the bricks. These bricks are relatively complicated to use and require the use of an adhesive to fasten the tabs in the slots.
CA-A-1 081 911 describes wooden bricks whereof the upper and lower surfaces have complementary shapes, thereby allowing them to be stacked. A tab inserted into transverse slots formed in two bricks butted together ensures the connection of two juxtaposed bricks. Cables pass through the bricks and adjustably connect the stacked bricks to one another. The openings formed in the bricks for the passage of the cables create thermal bridges.
The invention proposes another type of building element allowing an easy assembly of these elements relative to one another, not requiring the use of an adhesive and not creating a thermal bridge.
To that end, the invention relates to a set of building elements comprising a first type of element provided with connecting members on four faces and designed to be stacked and butted together with at least one other element of the same type, comprising at least:
With these three types of elements, it is possible to produce a wall easily by stacking and connecting, under tension, the first- and second-type elements, without adhesive.
The passage of the cable in a space defined between two elements avoids piercing of the latter and the appearance of a thermal bridge.
According to advantageous, but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a set of building elements can incorporate one or more of the following features:
The invention also relates to a method for using such a set of elements according to one of the preceding features, comprising at least the following steps:
The invention also relates to a building comprising at least one wall made from a set of elements according to one of the preceding features.
The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly, upon reading the following description of a set of building elements according to several embodiments of the invention, provided solely as an example and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which:
The element 1 or brick 1 shown in
The element 1 is advantageously hollow, i.e. in the form of a box in which a thermal and/or acoustic insulating material is arranged in bulk or in sheets during manufacture. In the case at hand, mineral wool is inserted into said element 1. Alternatively, cellulose wadding or another insulating material is used. In another embodiment, the element 1 is solid, and can then be made from another material, which itself is advantageously thermally and/or acoustically insulating.
The elements 1 have predefined sizes in terms of length, width and thickness. Typically, the height H1 of an element 1 is comprised, for current structures, between 35 and 65 cm, at 5 cm intervals. In other words, bricks are obtained whereof the heights H1 are 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 or 65 cm. The length L1 of such a brick advantageously varies from 30 to 60 cm at 10 cm intervals.
These dimensions make it possible to produce walls of different sizes by using elements 1 with an adapted height H1 and width L1. The thickness E1 of these elements 1 varies from 60 mm to 600 mm. It should be noted that elements 1 with different dimensions H1, L1, or even a different thickness E1, can be used to mount a same wall.
To mount a wall, at least elements whereof the width L1 is 30, 40 or 50 centimeters for a height H1 of 35, 40 or 45 centimeters should be used.
The different surfaces of an element or brick 1 are sealably connected, so that the insulating material inserted into the volume of the brick 1 is not in contact with the outside. This makes it possible to limit any condensation or moisture phenomenon on the wall.
The parallel side panels or walls 2 and 3 of the element 1 are connected by parallel webs 4 and 5. The webs 4 and 5 are the same height as the walls 2 and 3. They are positioned, relative to
Cleats 6 and 7 are positioned at each of the surfaces. Only the cleats situated on the plate 101 are visible in
The cleats 6, 7 have a square section in the case at hand. They have sides with a width IT slightly larger than that of the space between the surface 101 and the ends 21 and 31 of the walls 2, 3. Thus, the cleats 6, 7 of a first element 1 can be partially inserted into the space delimited between the surface 100 and the ends 20, 30 of a second element 1 placed above the first element 1. In other words, the cleats 6 and 7 are positioned in the space Es available between two superimposed elements 1. In this space, a plate (not illustrated) of a thermally and/or phonically insulating material is advantageously inserted, for example rock wool.
The webs 4 and 5 are attached on the walls 2, 3 so that they are withdrawn from the vertical edges 200, 300 of the panels 2, 3. To that end, the webs 4, 5 are inserted into grooves 22, 32 formed in the opposite surfaces of the panels 2, 3. In this way, when two elements 1 are butted together, i.e. with their respective webs 4, 5 facing one another, the latter do not touch and a space Ep is formed between the webs 4, 5 of the two adjacent elements 1.
Cleats 8 and 9 are inserted into this space. Their dimensions are such that they bear on two portions 22, 33 of the panels 2 and 3 situated between the edges 200, 300 and the webs 4 and 5. These cleats 8, 9 thus participate in maintaining and guiding the elements 1 butted together.
A plate-shaped element 10 is inserted into the space Ep thus defined between the webs 4 and 5 of two elements 1 butted together and the cleats 8 and 9. This element 10 is advantageously made from a thermally insulating material that is advantageously flexible, for example rock wool or wood fiber. The plate 10 is provided with a longitudinal slot 11 extending in the median position over the entire length thereof.
Alternatively, when the plate 10 is made from a flexible enough material, it is not necessary to provide a slot 11 therein.
The cleats 6 to 9 and the insulating plate 10 are removably mounted between the elements 1. To that end, they bear on the walls 2, 3 and the webs 4, 5 of the element 1. Alternatively, they are glued and/or nailed on at least one element 1.
Thus equipped with cleats 6 to 9, it is possible to connect the elements 1 to one another by snapping. Advantageously, each element 1 can be connected, in two perpendicular planes, to four other neighboring elements 1. Conventionally, in light of
As illustrated in
However, in light of
The assembly of the elements 1, either in the vertical direction or in the horizontal direction, is not done directly on a flat surface, but on a second-type element 12, 24, 34. This element 12, 24 or 34 forms a base or plate for receiving stacked elements 1. De facto, the bases 12, 24, 34 provide a seat for the wall.
In
This platen 16 rests on flanks 160, 161 that are respectively protruding and withdrawn relative to the ends of the platen 16. One side 162 of the platen 16 bears on the free end of a web or flank 18 belonging to the body 13. The side 163 of the platen 16 opposite the side 162 extends beyond the flanks 160, 161. With such a configuration, the platen 16 forms a cover. The body 13 is open on one side, which allows a user to access the lower surface of the platen 16.
At the junction between an arm 28 and the bottom 29 of the base 24, several cutouts 30 are formed. These cutouts 30 are regularly arranged. The bottom 31 of each cutout 30 extends through a slot 32 whereof the closed end 33 is substantially situated in the median position on the bottom 29. In other words, the ends 33 of the slots 32 are aligned along a longitudinal axis X24 of the base 24.
The use of these two types of support 12 and 24 will be described later. It should be noted that the first-type elements are adapted as a function of the support 12, 24 on which they are mounted.
The bottom 36 of the U is provided with cutouts 30′ extended by slots 32′, identical to those formed on the base 24. The closed ends of the slots 32′ are aligned in the median position of each branch of the base 34. In other words, the base 34 is an element similar to the base 24, but configured in a square. It is possible to align one or more bases 24 with the branches of a base 34 to mount walls at a right angle.
The mounting of the first-type elements 1 on second-type elements 12, 24 or 34 forming a base will now be described.
To mount a wall, the necessary number of bases 12, 24 or 34 are butted together, according to the plan for the building. The bases 12, 24, 34 are attached permanently or, advantageously, removably in the slab or ground. In all cases, it should be verified that the upper surfaces 16, 29, 36 of these bases, 12, 24, 34, respectively, are coplanar. The elements 1 forming a first row of the wall to be mounted are positioned on said surfaces 16, 29, 36. The dimensions and number of the elements 1 are adapted to the dimensions of the wall to be produced.
To that end, from the plan for the building, a layout is first done making it possible to optimize the mounting of the walls. The layout consists of defining the location and position of the minimum number of elements 1 necessary to produce a given wall. The guiding in position of the elements 1 on the bases 12, 24 and 34 is done by the ends 20 and 30 of the walls 2 and 3 bearing against the outer surfaces of the branches 28 of the U making up the bases 24 or 34. In the event bases 12 are used, pins (not illustrated) are inserted into the holes 15 and into holes with a complementary shape formed in the ends 20, 30 of the panels 2, 3.
When a row of elements 1, for example the first, is made on the bases 12, 24 or 34, the cleats 8 and 9 as well as the insulating plate 10 are inserted between two elements 1 butted together. The dimensions and position of the elements 1 are adapted so that the slots 11 of the plates 10 are aligned with the openings 17 or the cutouts 30, 30′ of the bases 12, 24 or 34, respectively.
To make a corner, an element 1′ illustrated in
By arranging these elements 1″″ in staggered rows, like concrete blocks, the spaces Ep′ of the stacked elements 1″″ are vertically aligned. Elements 1 of different lengths are used to complete the mounting of the wall.
As illustrated in
In the upper portion of the wall, to finish the mounting thereof, so-called end elements 1″ are used. The elements 1″ are butted together like the elements 1, 1′, i.e. by inserting cleats 8 and 9 and an insulating plate 10 between two elements 1″. These elements 1″, shown in
At the junction zones between two elements 1″ butted together, i.e. on the end of each plate 10, a tab 38, advantageously made from metal, generally configured in a Ω, is arranged. The ends 39 folded toward the outside of each tab 38 bear on the cleats 37. The bottom 40 of each tab 38 is provided with an opening 41 whereof the position and dimensions are adapted to overhang the slot 11 when the tab 38 is in position.
As illustrated in
The cable 42 thus forms a third type of element making it possible to removably block the stacked elements 1, 1′, 1″ in tension.
The cable is put into place when a column of elements 1, 1′, 1″, 1″″ has been mounted, before placing an adjacent column. The lower end 420 of the cable 42, in light of
When a wall is thus made, i.e. when several columns of elements 1, 1′, 1″ that have been tensioned are secured together, a finishing element is arranged on the surfaces 101′ of the elements 1″, in this case a board or cover 44, visible in
The elements 1, 1′, 1″, 1″″ are mounted in a manner similar to that previously described if the bases 12 illustrated in
When one wishes to incorporate rolling slat blinds, for example above a window or bay window, an element 1″′ like that described in
As illustrated in
Alternatively, it is possible to mount a temporary wall, such as an exhibition booth. These elements 1, 1′, 1″, 1″′, 1″″ can also cover an existing wall, permanently or such that it can be disassembled. Walls of different heights are thus made, with light and insulating elements, i.e. wood bricks.
When a temporary or non-load bearing wall is mounted, a smaller number of the third-type elements, i.e. the tensioning cables, can be used, or in certain cases may be placed only if necessary. In one embodiment that is not illustrated, the insulating plate 10 and the cleats 8, 9 make it possible for the elements, both in the vertical and horizontal directions, to be prefabricated. In other words, a sandwich-type piece is used comprising two wood plates confining an insulating plate, to connect the bricks to one another.
The dimensions of the bricks 1, 1′, 1″, 1″′, 1″″ used make it possible to mount walls similar to walls made from standard size bricks or concrete blocks. In other words, the architectural plans for a building made from concrete blocks or bricks are not modified when such building elements 1, 1′, 1″, 1″′, 1″″ are used.
The tension members 42 make it possible not only to stiffen the stack of elements 1, 1′, 1″, 1″′, 1″″, but also to provide a sealed connection between the latter, removably, with quick mounting and placement.
The stacked elements 1, 1′, 1″, 1″′, 1″″ can easily be covered with a decorative material, such as wallpaper or parging. They can also be painted or include raised decorative elements.
On the upper end of the wall, it is possible either to provide for the mounting of a frame, traditional or of the trussed type, or to provide a floor, since such walls can be used to produce buildings with multiple floors.
In one alternative that is not illustrated, the elements of the frame are adapted to receive the cable 42. To that end, the floor 44 is either replaced by said frame element, or it is adapted to receive the latter. In this way, the elements of the roof are secured with the walls of the building, which makes it possible to improve the ability of the building to withstand violent wind.
As an example, the mounting of a wall 2.5 m long by 3 m high is done in 1 hour by one person. The buildings thus made can also be inserted into a structure that is itself load-bearing, for example in a metal frame structure.
The height shift of the elements 1, 1′, 1″, 1″′, 1″″ between two adjacent columns prevents any thermal bridge between the inside and outside of the building that may harm the phonic and/or thermal insulation. Alternatively, it is possible, once the building is made, to complete that insulation, on one surface of the wall, with materials that are known in themselves, such as rock wool or cellulose wadding.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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09 58135 | Nov 2009 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/FR2010/052442 | 11/17/2010 | WO | 00 | 7/16/2012 |