The present invention refers to the technical field of constructions of prefabricated units and the like. In particular, it refers to a new type of structure for the realization of walls of prefabricated type.
The present invention also refers to an assembly method of the same structure.
Nowadays prefabricated structures are well known that allow, in a fast and economic way, to construct houses of any kind. For example, prefabricated units are commonly used for the realization of warehouses, garages, garden gazebo or structures in general, where reduced cost and rapidity of realization are important features. However, it is a common usage also for the realization of real houses provided with all the comforts.
A structure of prefabricated type, according to the prior art, is realized by putting together parts that have been previously prepared and at least partially pre-assembled. These parts are modular to each other and are constituted mostly by wood or other types of materials that are easily machinable. Using for example wood (but also a material of different kind but with similar features), it is known how it is possible to produce panels with predetermined lengths, which are then overlapped or put side by side to each other, framing them within specific posts (or in a supporting structure in general), with the aim of making a floor of a construction or the lateral walls or the closing roof. It is clear how, once the different parts are cut and shaped, the composition work is rather fast and simple. Also the production of panels is relatively cheap and fast especially if it is realized in industrial quantity.
However, the prior art presents a number of drawbacks.
The panels and the other structural parts that are combined together for the realization of the entire structure, must be assembled in a stable manner in a way that supports and sustains all kinds of pressures, comprising those due to bad weather (for example the wind). The assembling phase requires then (with the current solutions found on the market) a big loss of time and cost increases.
According to a first technical solution, the realization, for example, of the walls of a house requires the insertion of panels with predetermined lengths inside a supporting structure (usually a post frame or similar) to make the structure stable and firm. It is then important to stabilize the structure with screws, glues or similar, realizing this way a finished module that can be placed in loco. It is clear how this solution is extremely expensive and long.
It is clear how the technical solution that comprises an assembly by means of screws is wasteful in terms of time and costs, beyond results that are not very reliable. The high number of screws tend to blunt and damage the structure, making it not very reliable especially when it is exposed to bad weather. Moreover, the eventual disassembly becomes practically impossible, as the structure results to be damaged by a lot of holes, beyond being not practicable in terms of time.
In the same way, the solution that comprises the use of glue requires a wasteful job in terms of time and makes disassembly entirely impossible.
A common problem with both the screw and the glue solution relates to the take up of slack. It is common that, with the passage of time, the seal elements loosen up. For example, the screw seats get damaged and the glue gives. In this manner the structure is not stable anymore but starts to be more or less stressed. Then it is not unusual that the loosening of the structure causes accidental events such as crashes (for example due to a mistaken impact with a car). The present solutions do not permit in any manner to take up slacks, making the elimination of the weakening of the structure impossible. Indeed it is not possible to block the screws beyond a limit which would cause the breaking of the threads or of the seats within which they are screwed.
Another solution comprises on the other hand the realization of panel edges shaped as groove-and-tongue joints. In this manner the two adjacent walls (even placed at angle to each other) get blocked in a stable manner without the need of a supporting structure realized with posts and screws. However, also in this case, the cost results to be high, because very expensive and specific machinery suitable to work the terminal parts of each panel is required to achieve this particular shape. Moreover, the junction becomes exposed to bad weather with the risk of breakage and crushes. It is really easy that in the points where the groove-and-tongue joint meet, rain water stagnates, damaging the wood.
Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a new type of structure for prefabricate units that resolves all the above mentioned drawbacks.
In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a type of structure for prefabricate units that allows a fast, economic assemblage and that is eventually easily removable.
It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a structure that easily allows taking up slack.
These and other aims are obtained through a structure for the realization of prefabricate units according to the invention, which includes:
a frame comprising at least two posts;
at least a panel framed within said posts;
characterized by the fact that the at least two posts comprise traction means configured to apply a reciprocal approaching action to the posts such to block the panel comprised between them.
Advantageously, the two posts are opposed to each other in order to frame the panel at its two sides. Moreover, to fix the above said means of traction to the posts, these comprise respectively at least a hole or similar to allow the coupling.
The simple screws or glues of the prior art bind all the panels to the posts with a mechanical joint action. In fact, a screw penetrates both into the panel and into the post realizing a blocking mechanical connection. In the same way the glue binds the post to all the panels. The present solution, on the other hand, provides a binding action through traction applied on the posts in order to compact them towards the panels and block them. This way, the mechanical interaction of direct connection between the panel and the post through screw or glue is totally eliminated.
Advantageously, the hole obtained respectively on the posts is passing through the entire transversal section of the post.
Moreover, the hole obtained on the post is coaxial with the respective hole of the opposite post and to the axis placed orthogonally or almost orthogonally respect to the axis of the posts defining this way a couple of holes positioned within the axis. According to this solution, the traction means comprise at least a tie bar or the like inserted along the couple of holes within the axis, such to apply said approaching action to block the panel.
Thus, it is clear how the constructive choice of realizing on the two posts a couple of holes within axis allows the insertion of simple rectilinear tie bars that substitute efficiently the numerous fasteners, applying a very efficient packing action.
To this end, the tie bar comprises packing means.
In one embodiment, the packing means comprise at least a screw nut/lock nut coupling or similar respectively applied at the two ends of the tie bar in order to apply the blocking action.
Thus, by tightening the screw nut/lock nut, the tie bar causes a reciprocal approaching of a post towards the other and therefore the blockage of the panel.
In another embodiment, the packing means comprise at least a screw nut coupling and a lock.
Among the different, possible positions of the holes on the post, the preferred solution provides that the couple of holes within the axis lie on a longitudinal plane.
In particular, the plane is the mid point plane of the posts.
Advantageously, the panel comprises in correspondence to its back and/or front joint means of groove-and-tongue type to allow a reciprocal overlap.
In particular, the joint means comprise a site obtained in correspondence of the front of the panel and at least a tooth or the like obtained on the back, said site and said tooth extending longitudinally along the entire longitudinal length of the panel.
In order to allow the assemblage of the structure, being the holes placed on the longitudinal mid point plane of the posts and thus also of the panel framed between them, the panel placed at the passage of the tie bar comprises a passage site.
In this way, the tie bar results hiding and, beyond having a good aesthetic impact, is advantageously protected against bad weather.
According to the height of the structure, a plurality of panels are inserted in such a way to overlie each other within the posts.
In that case, the above mentioned joint means allow a firm and always centered reciprocal coupling.
In the case of several overlapped panels, at least two couples of coaxial holes are provided, each couple being placed at a different height h from each other to allow the application of the respective tie bars for each height.
In this way, a uniform compaction force along the entire height of the structure will be applied. It is clear at this point the advantage of the present invention. Few tie bars distributed along the height of the structure substitute many screws. Moreover, the take up slack is simple and immediate. By simply operating on a screw nut/lock nut coupling of the tie bar, it is possible to regulate at any time the packaging action of the panels.
Advantageously, each tie bar is placed at its respective height h approximately coinciding or close to the overlap line of two panels, the upper panel comprising the passage site that can contain the entire thickness of the tie bar and of the tooth of the underlying panel, such that the tie bar results hidden within the two overlapped panels.
This solution is constructively simple. In fact, the previous passage hole is easily substituted with the same passage site realized simply deeper. Such operation will be performed only for the panel that will receive the tie bar.
Alternatively, the traction means can be configured according to different embodiments having a simple rectilinear tie bar. For example, the traction means can comprise one of the following choices:
a tie bar with approximately an overturned U shape placed in correspondence to the upper bases of the posts;
ferromagnetic elements inserted in correspondence of the hole (10) within axis.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the description of some embodiments that follows, made to illustrate but not limit the invention, and with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
Generally, the base structure includes a frame 1 of any kind and dimension. In the specific case of
Generally each of the posts, in order to contain the panels, comprise respectively a sliding seat (4, 4′) within which are inserted the two lateral edges (5, 5′) of each panel 3. In this manner, it is possible to insert the panels one onto the other making them slide along the seats that run along the entire height of each post, making simple the assemblage and assuring the position of the panels.
In particular (see
According to the invention (see
Thus, according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention (see
The tie bar could be of any kind suitable to accomplish such function. As schematically described in
For example a first embodiment provides for the rod 16 to be threaded at its ends or along its entire length, which is inserted through a couple of holes (10). In this way it is for example possible to use the screw nut 17—lock nut 17′ coupling or similar to realize the clamping by enclosing the structure.
In a non limitative manner other types of tie rod could be used that are totally equivalent. For example, another embodiment provides for a screw 16′ comprising a free threaded end and a stopper 18 opposed and configured to snug against the wall surrounding the insertion hole 10. In this manner it is sufficient to have a simple nut 17″ screwable at the free end to operate the enclosing action.
In order to apply more tie bars at different heights h (especially in the case of very high walls) it is then possible to provide additional couples of holes placed at different heights (see
In a preferred embodiment see
In one embodiment of the invention, the couple of coaxial holes 10 are provided at heights that are approximately coinciding or close to the line of overlap of the two panels. In this embodiment, it is possible to use the seat 9 of the panel provided for the groove-and-tail coupling to the panel below, allowing this way the passage of the tie bar without the previously described seat 15. In such case, then, the seat 9 is realized with a greater height with respect to the others, allowing this way to contain both the tie bar 16 or 16′ and the tooth 8 of the panel below, realizing in this manner a disappearance of the tie bar and a perfect matching of the two overlapped panels (see
It is also possible to provide on the posts in correspondence to the tie bars, a small recess configured to receive and hide the packing means to protect them from bad weather.
Without departing from the present inventive concept, the holes can be placed still on longitudinal planes as described, but not at the midpoint. Thus they can be placed behind or in front of the panels simply changing this way the visual impact of the tie bar but not the functionality. Moreover, in the case when there are simple hole 9′ and pin 8′ couplings, a seat 9 could be provided similar to the one already described but which will have a depth such to contain exclusively the tie bar.
Without limitation, tie bars could be provided with different geometries and not necessarily rectilinear. These could then be disposed in passing holes that are not necessarily coaxial to each other or necessarily lying on longitudinal planes, without for this reason departing from the present inventive concept.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention (see
Another preferred embodiment, also particularly advantageous for structures with contained width and height, can comprise the application of magnets in correspondence to the coaxial holes to apply the closing action. These magnets can then be eventually activated when necessary or be of a permanent kind.
The assembly procedure of the structure according to a preferred embodiment is described next.
In a first step, the posts (2, 2′) with the holes 10 are placed to be respectively coaxial in couples, positioning them one in front of the other (see
It is now clear how all the aims of the present invention have been reached. In particular, it is clear how the clamping system of a panel within the posts allows for a fast assembly, easily removable and resistant to the bad weather. The tie bar is hidden within the panels and is protected from bad weather, highly prolonging its lifetime. It is also clear how take up of slack is simple by simply tightening when required the nut/lock/nut coupling of the tie bar.
The above description of certain embodiments describes the invention from a conceptive point of view, in a way that others, by using the present disclosure, can modify and/or adapt it in different applications without any additional research and without departing from the present inventive concept. Therefore, adaptations and transformations of the presently described embodiments will be considered as equivalent to what is disclosed in the present description. The means and materials used to carry out the present invention can be of various natures without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the expressions or the terminology used herein have a simple descriptive aim and therefore are not limiting.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IT08/00686 | 11/3/2008 | WO | 00 | 12/11/2010 |