Abstract:
The system relates to a system for creating junctions for tubular structures. The system is based on provided a plurality of junctions ( 7 ) which are different from each other, formed by pairs of profiles ( 2 ) or ( 2   a ) or ( 2′ ) or ( 2″ ) or ( 2″′ ) secured to each other to form the corresponding junction ( 7 ) and to be able to mount and join tubular arms ( 1 ) that will form the actual structure. Said tubular arms can be longitudinally aligned, can form a right angle between each other, can form T-shaped configurations, and can meet at junctions with four tubular arms ( 1 ), junctions with five tubular arms ( 1 ), and junctions with even more arms, in order to allow any type of structure for different constructions, both in terms of buildings and in terms of furniture, inter alia.

Description:
[0001]    Node building system for tubular structures. The system is based on the availability of a plurality of nodes ( 7 ) different from one another, formed by pairs of profiles ( 2 ) or ( 2   a ) or ( 2 ′) or ( 2 ″) or ( 2 ″′), linked together to form the corresponding node ( 7 ) and to allow the mounting and connection of tubular arms ( 1 ) that will make up the structure itself and the tubular arms of which may be left aligned longitudinally, form a right angle with one another, form “T” configurations, come together in nodes with four tubular arms ( 1 ), in nodes with five tubular arms ( 1 ), and even more, to allow to form any type of structure for various buildings, both in construction as well as furniture and other. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention refers to a modular building system for structures and specifically incorporating nodes defined in them, equipped to allow different types of buildings, without discarding its application in furniture and in any other practical purpose where a structure is required from which any type of construction can be created based on tubular profiles. 
         [0003]    There are modular constructions of structures, for buildings and other uses, however, in some cases, due to their complexity and in others due to their lack of reliability, what is true is that the systems known until now do not function efficiently, meaning, that they do not allow the erection of buildings with a complete guarantee of safety and functionality. 
         [0004]    In addition, in the modular constructions systems of structures, there are always additional elements required to form reinforcements, to form beams with a certain incline, etc., all of which makes the construction of the actual structure more costly, requiring additional welding and other means to set different elements and parts used. 
         [0005]    In any case, there are no known modular constructions systems of structures with the characteristics that correspond to the one defined in this patent for invention being requested. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The system proposed first shows the characteristic of building structures without the need for welding, and only using screw elements. 
         [0007]    More specifically, the modular system is made up grooved profiles, in some cases straight, in other cases on an angle, in other cases with side grooved formations, etc, to allow the joining of tubular arms that will form beams, struts, braces, etc, where those arms will always remain joined together using screws that attach two grooved profile parts together, showing side wings with the holes for the passing of setscrews. 
         [0008]    Also, in specific cases, one of the side of the grooved profiles becomes a flexible assembly for the arms which can form beams, and even struts and/or braces, with the possibility of allowing these tubular arms to be placed at any angle and therefore form sloping parts of the structure to form roofs, form configurations in a dihedric angle in the actual roof covering or roofing, etc. 
         [0009]    As such, it involves that the modular building of structures is based on forming nodes to which the tubular arms are attached making up the actual structure, with tubular arms that can form, as previously indicated, struts or columns, beams, braces, etc according to its availability with regard to the nodes. 
         [0010]    Each node shall be formed by the grooved profiles, which in some cases will be continuous and will attach to themselves by way of a clamp with screws passing through side holes in these grooved profiles, while in other cases the profiles will form an angle together, but always in the same piece for each profile, as well as showing different sections according to the directions in the three axes X, Y, Z, o bien en T en cruz, etc. 
         [0011]    The different configuration of the nodes allows to place two tubular arms in adjacently, meaning aligned longitudinally, or having two tubular arms forming a 90° angle together, or form nodes that have three perpendicular arms together according to axes X, Y, Z form nodes where four arms meet, that may be fixed and perpendicular with each other, or two of those forming an angle and the other two articulated to form different angles of the respective tubular arms that join in an articulated way to the respective profiles. 
         [0012]    There may also be nodes formed that have five perpendicular arms coming together and even one or two of them articulated to form different angles. 
         [0013]    Another characteristic of the system is that there may be crossed profiles, with two grooved profiles available in opposite direction and with a perpendicular orientation, to establish the crossing of the two tubular arms that overlap in this node. 
         [0014]    Another layout is for the nodes lo be able lo form an element of articulation or setting of the lower end of the tubular arms determining columns or struts, meaning for fastening to the floor using a plate where the grooved profile is strengthened where the end of the tubular arm making up the strut or column articulates. 
         [0015]    Using all of these variants of nodes, structures may be formed with various natures, meaning with different configurations for buildings of all types, and also to form furniture of any type as well, etc. 
         [0016]    Lastly, in any case the parts or elements that participate in the nodes and the setting of the corresponding tubular arms, is only done with the use of screws, without the need for welding or any other element other than the profiles of one form or another to determine the corresponding nodes and from the tubular arms themselves to form struts or columns, beams, braces, etc. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    To complement the description below and with the purpose of helping to better understand the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical use, as an integral part of this description are included a set of drawings where the following has been represented, including but not limited to: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1 .—Detailed view of the two contiguous tubular arms joined together, aligned longitudinally, which remain joined with a clamp formed by two facing grooved profiles and through which grooves the fastening or holding of the ends of these tubular arms is determined. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2 .—Shows a perspective view of the node in a right angle to join two perpendicular tubular arms together. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3 .—Shows a perspective view of the profiles that participate in a node with three tubular arms according to axes X, Y, Z. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  bis.—Shows an exploded view of the two profiles that make up the fastening method in the node of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4 .—Shows a perspective view of a node with three perpendicular tubular arms coming together, but one of the is articulated to be able to be placed in different angles. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5 .—Shows a perspective view of a node with (our tubular arms, two of which are articulated laterally. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6 .—Shows a perspective view of a node with three “T” tubular arms. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  bis.—Shows an exploded view of the two profiles that define the means of fastening the node of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 7 .—Shows a perspective view of a node with four arms, three of them in “T” and the fourth is articulated perpendicularly to be able to occupy different angled positions. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8 .—Shows a perspective view such as the previous figure but in this case with a node with four perpendicular tubular arms together, all fixed with not articulation. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9 .—Shows a perspective view of a node with live tubular arms, three of them in “T”, a fourth perpendicular to the previous ones and a fifth arm opposite to the one previously mentioned but articulated with respect to the node group. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10 .—Shows a perspective view of a node with two crossing tubular arms. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11 .—Shows a perspective view such as the figure above, where one of the tubular arms is articulated. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12 .—Shows a perspective view of a node for floor fastening. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13 .—Shows a perspective view of a node with two tubular arms, one is articulated in an intermediate area of another fixed profile. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 .—Show, as an example, different perspective views of structures obtained based on the building system that is the object of the invention. 
       
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    As can be seen in the figures referenced, the modular structure building system that is the object of the invention, is based on using a series of nodes with different configurations, used as elements to join tubular arms ( 1 ) that along with the indicated nodes will make up the structure itself. 
         [0035]    In that regard,  FIG. 1  shows how the node is formed by a pair of grooved profiles ( 2 ), that they are straight and have side wings ( 3 ) with holes for the passing of the corresponding tightening screws ( 4 ) to establish a type of clamp between the two profiles ( 2 ) left facing with their grooves and between them the tubular arms ( 1 ) to join, so that as they are shown in  FIG. 1  the node that form the two grooved profiles ( 2 ) facing together, between them are two tubular arms ( 1 ) fastened and aligned longitudinally with each other. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows an angled node to join two tubular arms ( 1 ) together, forming a right angle together, for which the profiles, in this case referenced with ( 2   a ) have an angled configuration, same as its corresponding side wings ( 3 ), which are also equipped with holes for the fast passing of lightening screws ( 4 ) that will fasten and lighten both profiles ( 2   a ) together to hold and joining the tubular arms ( 1 ) at a right angle as can be seen in this  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 3  the fastening of the profiles ( 2   b - 2   b ′) define three perpendicular branches together, according to the axes of coordinates X, Y, Z, where the corresponding side wings ( 3 ) are also affected with holes for the passing of fastening and tightening screws ( 4 ) to obtain the fastening and joining of three tubular arms ( 1 ) together according to axes X, Y, Z. 
         [0038]    In all mentioned cases, as well as in the ones to be shown below, the profiles ( 2 ,  2   a,    2   b , . . . ) will always be grooved and will have their corresponding side wings ( 3 ) with their holes for the passing of tightening or fastening screws ( 4 ) of the tubular arms ( 1 ) that will make up the structure. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4 , shows another node, like the one in  FIG. 2 , but in this case with a profile ( 2 ″) strengthened with welding or with another adequate means on the cross section of the grooved configuration of the profiles ( 2   a ), with that profile ( 2 ′) forming a one-piece body with one of the profiles ( 2   a ) and its grooves facing out, to obtain the joining of the end of a tubular arm ( 1 ) that in this case stays mounted in an articulated way with the screw ( 4 ) that acts like a pivoting axis for the tubular arm ( 1 ), allowing for it to be located with any angle with respect to the nodes that form the profiles ( 2   a ). 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a variant for  FIG. 4 , so that in this case, instead of having one sole profile ( 2 ′) for the mounting and articulation of a tubular arm ( 1 ), there are two grooved profiles ( 2 ′), opposite each other and on one or the other cross sections of the two profiles ( 2   a ), to establish a means for articulated assembly of the two tubular arms ( 1 ) opposite each other and both articulated to be able to occupy different positions, for which in this case according to  FIG. 5 , the node has four tubular arms ( 1 ), two of them forming a right angle together and the other two, perpendicular to the previous ones but articulated to be able to occupy different angled positions. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows three arms ( 1 ) joined in a “T”, two of them are aligned longitudinally over the clamp that make up the profiles ( 2   c ), while the third, is left in vertical position as shown in  FIG. 6 , and stays fastened with the clamp formed by two grooved profiles ( 2 ″) that emerge from one of the sides of the profiles ( 2   c ). 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows a variant of ways to perform  FIG. 6 , but by including a fourth tubular arm ( 1 ) perpendicular to the previous ones, for which its has been provided that the cross section of one of the profiles ( 2   c ) has a perpendicular profile ( 2 ′) with grooves facing out. with holes facing for the corresponding passing of screws ( 4 ) which makes up the axis of rotation for the fourth tubular arm ( 1 ), allowing to place it in any angle with respect to the nodes that make up the other profiles ( 2   c ), with the three tubular arms ( 1 ) in “T”. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  shows a variant of  FIG. 6 , but by including four tubular arms ( 1 ) in the node, three of which are in “T” as shown in  FIG. 6  and a fourth perpendicular to the rest, so that from the cross section of one of the grooved profiles ( 2   c ) emerge another pair of profiles ( 2 ″′) one free and the other fixed to the profile ( 2   c ) with welding, forming the corresponding clamp which holds and fastens the end of the fourth tubular arm ( 1 ). perpendicular to the previous ones, by lightening the corresponding screws ( 4 ) over the holes of the side wings ( 3 ) of those profiles ( 2 ″). 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  another variant for the method, in this case with a node in which there are live tubular arms ( 1 ), four of them as in those of  FIG. 8  and the fifth one is mounted on a grooved profile ( 2 ′) strengthened to the cross section of one of the profiles ( 2   c ), where the tightening and fastening screw ( 4 ) makes up the pivoting axis so that the fifth tubular arm ( 1 ), left articulated and allowing to occupy different angled positions with respect to the node, while the remaining lour tubular arms ( 1 ) are fixed. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows a node with two crossing tubular arms ( 1 ), but overlapping each other, for which there are two grooved profiles available that can correspond to the configuration of the profiles ( 2 ), with their grooves facing, but crossing, to allow the overlapping and crossing nature between the tubular arms ( 1 ) that are fastened in an intermediate area of theirs in the node that form these grooved and straight profiles ( 2 ). 
         [0046]      FIG. 11  shows a variant of  FIG. 10 , but in this case with two grooved profiles ( 2 ′) opposing and forming 90°, fastened with welding so that over these profiles ( 2 ′) using screws ( 4 ) the corresponding tubular arms ( 1 ) are left mounted in an articulated manner, allowing that the upper arm ( 1 ) can swivel in one direction and another and form different angles with respect to the node, opposite to what occurs in the method used in  FIG. 10  where the two tubular arms ( 1 ) are fixed. 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows an example method of a tubular arm ( 1 ) anchored to the floor, using a plate ( 5 ) over which a grooved profile ( 2 ′) is reinforced with a hole in its side sections for the passing of a screw ( 4 ) as a rotating axis of that strutt or tubular arm ( 1 ) while  FIG. 13  shows a node formed by two opposed grooved profiles ( 2 ″), one of them for mounting and fastening of a tubular arm ( 1 ) and the other for the articulated assembly of a second articulated arm ( 1 ). 
         [0048]    Evidently, in addition to the examples described and shown in the drawings, there may be very different configurations of nodes obtained and the use of the tubular arms, ( 1 ) with respect to these, in some cases fixed and in other cases articulated, in other cases forming nodes with 2, 3, 4, 5 and even more arms, etc. 
         [0049]    In any case, based on the nodes mentioned and the assembly of the tubular arms ( 1 ), structures are obtained such as those represented in  FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 , among others, as an example, so that the structure ( 6 ) shown in FIG. ( 14 ), includes tubular arms ( 1 ) in strut functions, tubular arms ( 1 ) in upper structure functions, and even lower tubular arms in rigid element functions, and in all cases joined together in the corresponding nodes, referenced in this case with number ( 7 ), even though these nodes can correspond to that of  FIG. 2 , to the one shown in  FIG. 3 , etc, and these structures ( 6 ) may be used for to build compartments for any building, etc. 
         [0050]    The same occurs with the structure shown in  FIG. 15 , which includes struts ( 1 ) formed by the corresponding tubular arms, with nodes anchored to the floor and with an upper section, and even with some ends anchored to the wall, all in order to make it possible to make different configurations of buildings, furniture, etc. 
         [0051]    Finally,  FIG. 16  shows a structure ( 8 ) with struts formed by tubular arms ( 1 ), nodes ( 7 ) to anchor to the floor, and an upper section forming two slopes, as well as transversal porticos always formed by and in all cases by the corresponding tubular arms ( 1 ) located in the nodes ( 7 ), and in each case with the proper configuration so that in this case the structure ( 8 ) is adequate to form a building or construction with a cover that will have two water lines or sloped plans for rainwater drainage.