Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
a CA 02400266 2002-08-02
PCT/EP/Ol/00779
COMPONENT FOR BUILDING WALL, CEILING,
FLOOR, BULKHEAD, LIMITING WALL, PARTITION WALL
ELEMENTS AND THE LIKE
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to a component for building
wall-, ceiling-, floor-, supporting-, boundary-, and
partition wall elements, etc. There are a multitude of
embodiments of components that are stacked or arranged
side-by-side in some way for various application
purposes. It is also known, for example, to provide
such components either with projecting springs or with
corresponding grooves to achieve an engagement at
their opposing bounding faces. However, such
components can be used only for specific purposes. An
individual adaptation is not possible.
The problem to be solved by the invention was therefore
to provide a component of the aforementioned type that
can be inserted individually, but where adjacent
components can still engage with positive fit.
In accordance with the invention, this is achieved with
a cuboid basic element that has, at least on part of
its bounding faces, one or multiple grooves, whereby a
strip-shaped spring can be inserted into said grooves)
as connecting elements) to achieve a positive fit.
Thus, a base element only has prepared grooves, intc
which the required connecting elements then can be
inserted in those areas, and thus those boundary faces,
that are supposed to engage. Thus, all circumstances
have to be taken fully into account. Regardless whether
said components are supposed to connect successively in
a row, if they are stacked directly or staggered with
respect to one another, or if a type of corner or
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intermediate connection is desired, connecting elements
can always be inserted into the grooves, which are
already present at the desired location, and thus
achieve an optimum, positive fit connection.
If the component is used to build walls, only an
insignificant quantity of mortar is needed, or the
application of a thin layer of adhesive is already
sufficient to achieve a lasting, firm connection.
Particularly because of the continuous, firm engagement
of the building elements at the facing bounding faces,
a safe construction is possible even in areas with a
risk of earthquakes. Walls built in this way are
substantially more tear-resistant than previous
walling. The construction in accordance with the
invention is particularly suitable for structures
providing cover against avalanches, or generally for
structures in areas with a high risk of avalanches. In
view of thermal insulation, the embodiment in
accordance with the invention can also be called
optimal because neither the horizontal nor the vertical
joints have a continuous layer of mortar. The
interruption due to the inserted connecting elements
has a positive effect here. Because there are always
grooves and insertable springs on the upper side of the
components, it is also advantageously possible to
connect to ceiling elements because the ceiling
elements can also correspondingly engage into the
grooves or through the springs.
It is furthermore proposed that the base element has at
least two grooves that run parallel to one another
continuously over the circumference of all four
boundary faces, which connect respectively at right
angles. In that way, it is possible to achieve a
reciprocal connection of the building elements in any
position. Because there are at least two grooves, it is
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possible to achieve an even better mechanical
connection and the thermal values are improved as well.
In that way, there are also continuous grooves over the
entire height of the inner- and outer boundary faces of
the walls built in this way, which are interrupted only
by the faces of inserted springs, if applicable. This
also allows an optical anchoring of paneling or
paneling elements, if applicable. Plug-type connections
are also conceivable if the structures built with the
components and paneling elements have to be
disassembled again. Even if a permanent engagement is
desired, i.e., if an additional adhesive connection is
provided, for example, structures can be erected
quickly with a simple means of connection.
To achieve an even better fit with wall corners or the
integration of partition walls, etc., it is proposed
that the base element has on its upper bounding face
and its lower bounding face grooves that cross one
another at right angles. Thus, connecting elements can
also be randomly be inserted crosswise to the
longitudinal direction of the one component.
In that context, it is helpful if the grooves crossing
one another at a right angle at the upper and the lower
bounding face of the base element run continuously over
the entire circumference of all four bounding faces,
which connect to one another at respective right
angles. This further improves the mutual connecting
possibilities.
To assure that there is always an exact correspondence
between the grooves around the base element and the
inserted connecting element, it is provided that the
width of the segments of bounding faces remaining
between two grooves are twice the size of the width of
the segment that remains between the edge of a bounding
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face and the facing grooves. This allows for a positive
fit particularly with connecting components that are
staggered with respect to one another.
If an appropriate grid is maintained as well, the
insertion options for the component in accordance with
the invention are optimal. Thus, it is provided that
the width of the segment that remains between the two
grooves is four times the width of a groove, and the
width of the segment between the edge of a bounding
face and the facing groove is twice the width of a
groove.
It is furthermore proposed that the connecting element
can be inserted into the groove with a positive fit.
This will guarantee that the connecting element will
not shift or fall out when the next component is
attached. This improves and simplifies the assembly
significantly.
Another characteristic is that the length of the
connecting elements to be attached at the upper
bounding face and/or the lower bounding face of the
base element corresponds to the total length or width
of said bounding face. In this way, the connecting
element does not project over the lateral bounding
faces in case of a pre-assembly. Furthermore, this
makes it possible to stagger the connecting elements in
the construction of a wall, etc., depending on the
position, which leads to an additional mutual
engagement.
If it is furthermore provided that the length of the
connecting elements to be inserted at the lateral
bounding faces of the base element corresponds to the
height of the base element less twice the depth of a
groove, it is guaranteed that the connecting elements
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used for the lateral connection of components will not
project over the base of the grooves facing the upper
and the lower boundary faces. Thus, it is possible at
all times to insert the connecting elements at the
respective most recent upper bounding face of the
components without obstruction.
Especially if the components in accordance with the
invention are used to build walls with wall corners,
with partition wall connections, i.e., in the case of a
staggered placement, etc., it is especially
advantageous if the component has special dimensions.
Thus, it is proposed that the ratio between the total
length and the total width of the base element is 1.5
to 1. This also guarantees an optimal connecting
possibility of all adjacent components as well.
Other characteristics in accordance with the invention
and special advantages are explained in greater detail
in the following description by means of the
illustrations. Shown are:
Fig. 1 a tilted view of a base element without
inserted connecting elements;
Fig. 2 a top view of the base element;
Fig. 3 a lateral view in the direction of the arrow
III in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 a lateral view in the direction of the arrow
IV in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 a tilted view of a component comprised of a
base element and inserted connecting
elements;
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Fig. 6 and 7:
a tilted view of a respective construction
with components in accordance with the
invention.
The component 1 shown in its entirety in Fig. 5 is
comprised of a base element 2 and connecting elements 3
and 4. Such components 1 are used to build wall-,
ceiling-, floor-, supporting wall-, boundary-, and
partition wall elements, etc. The base elements 1 as
well as the connecting elements 3, 4 can be made of
various materials, such as concrete, calcinated clay,
metal, plastic or any insulating materials, or even a
combination of various materials. Principally, the base
element and the connecting elements can be even
composed of different materials. However, the
application of such components is not only possible in
construction engineering and civil engineering, but
also, for example, to build visual- or noise protection
elements in offices or plants. However, such components
are also excellently suited for use as toys to assemble
and disassemble a variety of toys and other parts. When
used [as toys] for play purposes, the present corners
can also be designed as rounded corners.
The component 1 is comprised of a cuboid base element
2, which has at least on one part of its bounding faces
to 10 one or more grooves 11, whereby a strip-shaped
spring can be inserted into said grooves) 11 as
connecting element 3 to achieve a positive fit
connection between the connecting base elements 2.
In the embodiment of a component 1 shown in the
illustrations, the base element 2 has two parallel
running grooves 11 which run continuously over the
circumference of all four bounding faces 5, 9, 6, 10 or
5, 8, 6, 7, which connect at respective right angles.
~
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In the scope of the invention, it is also possible, of
course, to provide only one groove, or two or more
parallel aligned grooves.
In the shown advantageous embodiment, the base element
2 has on its upper bounding face 5 and its lower
bounding face 6 grooves 11, which cross at a right
angle. Especially in the corner areas of walls, etc.
(see also Fig. 7), a design of this type is
advantageous. In this type of arrangement, the grooves
11, which cross at a right angle at the upper bounding
face 5 and the lower bounding face 6 of the base
element 2, also run continuously around the entire
circumference of all four bounding faces 5, 9, 6, 10 or
5, 8, 6, 7, which connect at respective right angles.
Specific grid measurements are suitable for an optimal
use of the component 1 in accordance with the
invention. The width D of the segments 12 of the
bounding faces 5 to 10 remaining between two grooves 11
is twice the size of the width E of the segment 13,
which remains between the edge of a bounding face 5 to
and the facing groove 11. In that way, another
advantageous grid measurement is if the width D of the
segments 12 remaining between two grooves 11
corresponds to four times the width S of a groove 11
and the width E of the segment 13 corresponds to twice
the width S of a groove 11.
The connecting element 3, which can have the form of a
strip-shaped spring, can be loosely inserted into the
grooves 11. However, it is also possible to insert the
connecting element 3 into the corresponding groove 11
with positive fit. Furthermore, it is conceivable to
fixate said connecting elements in the grooves, for
example with adhesive, if the type of mutual connecting
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and the staggering of the components 1 is known from
the outset.
As shown in part icular in Fig . 5 , the length F of the
connecting elements 3 to be inserted at the upper
bounding face 5 and/or the lower bounding face 6 of a
base element 2 corresponds to the total length L or the
total width B of said bounding face 5 and/or 6. On the
other hand, the length G of the connecting elements 4
to be inserted at the lateral bounding faces 7, 8, 9,
of the base element 2 corresponds to the height H of
the base element 2 less twice the depth T of a groove
11. It goes without saying, of course, that the length
of the connecting elements 3, 4 can vary as well. Thus,
it would be conceivable, for example, that at least the
connecting elements 3 can run over two or more
successive components 1.
The entire component as such also has a special grid.
The ratio of the total length L to the total width B of
the base element 2 is 1.5 to 1. The illustrations in
the figures 6 and 7 show that any type of staggered
construction of the components in accordance with the
invention or the construction in the corner areas of
walls, etc. is possible in a simple and effective
manner. In the longitudinal direction of the components
1 as well as in crossways direction, a stable mutual
support is guaranteed. With the additional use of
mortar or adhesive, there are no continuous thermal
bridges because of the intermediate connecting
elements.
