JOINTING MEANS FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS

Abstract: Jointing means between building elements (2), which are provided with an edge (1) which is arranged to be jointed together with a corresponding edge of another building element forming a sealed joint. The edges are provided with at least one groove (3) extending from the edge in inwards direction into the element. In the space formed by the each other opposing edge surfaces of the grooves of the two elements a long rail element (34) is inserted. According to the invention the rail element comprises a first rail (6) with a front surface and a second rail (6) with a front surface, which rails are by means of connecting means (7) connected with each other in such a position that the front surfaces are facing in outwards direction and are pressed against the sides of the grooves (3). The rails are fixed abutting against the sides of the grooves by means of a mass introduced between the rails, preferably a foamed plastic composition, which stiffens forming a string of cellular plastic between the rails. The rail device by this arrangement forms a resistant and the building elements engaging locking element for the same.

Description: Title : Jointing means for building elements Technical field: The present invention relates to means at joints for building elements in the form of wall elements , roof elements or joints . Background: In connection with such elements which are jointed together in order to form space enclosing constructions due consideration must be taken that the elements shall exhibit a tightening fit in between them and that they shall engage each other in such a locking arran¬ gement that they will be in alignment with each other and not permit any displacement as a consequence of the forces, which may arise. From a viewpoint of heat insulation it is especially important that the joints of those elements are tight which constitute the delimina- tion between the ambient surroundings and the interior of the buil¬ dings formed by said elements , thus external wall elements and the outer roof elements . Partition wall elements as well as floor co po- nents for intermediate joints require a tight fit in between them in order to attain a good acoustical insulation and impede the passage of air and heat between rooms , which shall be insulated from each other. The ever increasing efforts to produce energy saving con¬ structions has also increased the interest in the elimination of heat leakage in the joints between building elements . Especially for buil¬ ding elements of by way of example cellular plastic with high insula¬ tion properties it has proved to be necessary to see to it that any leakage of heat does not arise in the joints . In such cases due atten¬ tion has to be paid for one thing to the fulfilment of the requirements that any slits or openings permitting the passage of air are not pro¬ vided, and for another thing that also the joint itself shall exhibit such good heat insulating properties that it substantially matches the good heat insulating properties of the remaining part of the ele¬ ment. It is obvious that said last requirement can be very difficult to fulfil in building constructions with high insulating cellular plas¬ tics . In order to meet these requirements , it has been suggested that the joint be tightened by filling a cavity extending parallelly to the joint with a foaming plastic material, which after curing forms a completely tightening string of cellular plastic with good insulating properties . However, it has turned out that just only the formation of a string of cellular plastic does not produce the necessary mecha- nical strength, as the joint can easily crack, by way of example in connection with settlements in the building construction. The inser¬ tion of a hose of resilient material in the joint and subsequently fil¬ ling the same with a cellular plastic, as has been recommended (see for example the German Offenlegungsschrift No. 227 256) , has not either resulted in a desired solution . As a matter of fact the required machanical strenght is not obtained by means of this method, and the mounting of the hose before it has been filled with cellular plas¬ tic moreover involves certain problems in addition to a comparatively high cost of the hose. Joints with solely such organic material as plastics further signifies an insufficient fire resistance of the very joint, which to a great extent reduces the effect of employing fire- resistant building elements . Presentation of the invention : Technical problem: As is evident from what has been exposed above the difficulty in connection with joints and especially, when high insulating buil¬ ding elements are used, consists in the attainment of a jointing means which provides the required mechanical strength and a good locking of the elements at the same time as a complete seal and such good values of the heat insulating properties as match the values, which can be obtained for the elements themselves , are obtained. The solution: The problem is solved by means of a strong element of for ex¬ ample steel and shaped as a rail structure being utilized for the me¬ chanical locking. The heat losses through the rail structure, which is made of a material with good heat conducting properties , are limi¬ ted ' because of its small mass . The tightening and the insulation of the joint itself are obtained by a supplementary injection of an insu¬ lating compound, preferably such a one of a foamed plastic composi¬ tion . Advantages : By the present invention a means for joints between building elements is provided, in which the joint fulfils very exigent require¬ ments with regard to mechanical strength and good insulation values as well as sealing properties, at the same time as it is possible to make such a joint exhibit a good fire resistance. The invention further makes it possible to obtain a jointing means which is easy to mount in different positions . Brief description of the drawings : Four embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompa¬ nying drawings , and are described in the following. Figs . 1 - 5 il¬ lustrate the first embodiment, a cross-section being shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a detail; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion according to a modified embodiment; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectio¬ nal view along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows the same cross- section in a later manufacturing phase of a building element, which shall be jointed utilizing the means according to the invention ; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment corresponding to the cross-section illustrated in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 7 shows the third embo¬ diment in a corresponding cross-sectional view; Fig. 8 is a perspec¬ tive view of a detail according to the fourth embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the same embodiment. Best mode of carrying out the invention: The edges 1 facing each other and belonging to two building elements 2, which shall be jointed together utilizing the means accor¬ ding to the invetion, are illustrated in Fig. 1. Each one of the ed¬ ges 1 of the building elements 2 exhibits a groove 3 in inwards di- rection diverging from the edge 1. The surfaces of the element 2 are covered by means of panels 4, and between these panels 4 there is a core 5 with good insulating properties . The panels 4 can be made of wooden material, for example in the form of particle board. If a higher degree of fire resistance is desired, fibre- lass reinfor- ced concrete can be used. As material for the insulating core 5 such a cellular plastic as for ' example polyurethane is used, which is foa¬ med between the interspaced panels . During the foaming process the plastic material fills the space between the panels and forms the edges 1 against the walls , not shown, of a mould. These walls can also be provided with portions forming the grooves 3. It is also pos¬ sible to cut clean the edges 1 after the moulding operation and in connection therewith machine the grooves 3 in a cutting operation. However, this method of manufacturing elements with foamed plastic forming a cellular structure is known in the prior art and will there¬ fore not be described more in detail. For the purpose in question there are a number of different plastic compounds available, by way of example polyurethanes and polyisocyanates , which lately have at¬ tracted more and more interest in this connection . In order to connect the edges 1 of the two builiding elements 2 a rail device 34, more in detail illustrated in Fig. 2, is insterted into the grooves 3. For this purpose said rail device comprises two rails 6 bent in angular shape, the angles of which being adapted to the angles of the grooves 3. The rails 6 are connected with each other by means of bars 7, which in a snap-in mounting occupy a fixed position in holes of one of the rails 6. The bar 7 exhibits a washer 8, which is threaded on the bar in a thinner portion 9 of the same and rests " against a shoulder inside of said thinner portion . By means of this arrangement a stop dog element is formed for the rail 6. In order to impede that the rail can be pulled off from the portion 9, said portion is provided with springing tongues 10 arran¬ ged to snap in outwards direction (upwards and downwards respec- tively as counted in the plane of the paper sheet) , so that the bar 7 thereby is held to the rail 6. The outer rail 6 exhibits a sleeve 11 with a through hole adapted to the bar 7. The sleeve is provided with springing portions 12, which make possible that by means of a snapping action it can be fastened to the rail 6 in question and be firmly held to the same. The sleeve 11 moreover exhibits springing tongues , which are arranged to cooperate with holes 14 of the bar 7. Both the rails 6 by this arrangement can be connected with the bar 7 and be positioned at different distances from each other depending upon how far the one rail 6 with the sleeve 11 is pulled out from the other rail 6. In a pulled out position the rails are secured with respect ot the distance they have occupied relative to e.ach other by means of a snapping-in action of the springing tongue 13 into the correspodingly fitting hole 14. O PI As evident from Fig. 2 there are additional holes 35 besides the ones , which are provided for the bar 7. The rails 6 can be made of angularly bent metal material or extruded stiff plastics exhibiting the desired angle. A greater fire resistance can be obtained, if the rails are made of concrete reinforced with glass fibre. The coupling means 7 - 13 is suitably made of plastics . In the embodiment of the element 2 according to Figs . 1 and 2 it is assumed that the elements substatially only comprise the panels 4 and the interposed core 5 of plastic material. In the modified em- bodiment according to Figs 3 - 5 it is assumed that the building ele¬ ment is providing a frame, suitably of thin metal. This frame com¬ prises two profiles 15 with beveled corners , so that a double frame has been produced. - The two profiles are held together by means of the spacer element 16, the distance between them being relatively large. The spacer elements can by way of example be spotwelded to the profiles 15. Each one of the profiles 15 exhibits an angular por¬ tion with two flanges 17 and 18 and an additional flange 19 extending in oblique direction . Thus , the profile exhibits the shape of a U- shaped rail with one flange folded in inwards direction . The oblique • flanges 19 occupy opposite positions relative to each other on the two profiles 15 and thereby form an inwards diverging groove similar to the groove 3 in Fig. 1. The finished element in addition to the frame described comprises two outer panels 20, which preferably by glueing are fastened to the outer flanges 17 of the profiles . Inside of the profiles and resting against the flanges 19 there are endwall plates 21. Thus , between the panels 20 and the endwall plates 21 a cavity is formed, which extends into the profiles 15. This cavity is filled with cellular plastic 22. This cellular plastic can suitably be introduced by means of injection, for example through holes in the endwall plates 21. The plastic material forms a foaming mass, which completely fills the cavity and is cured in the cavity forming a cellu¬ lar plastic. The embodiment of the jointing means illustrated in Fig. 6 dif¬ fers from the one shown in Figs . 1 and 2 substantially only with respect to said rails, which in Fig. 6 are indicated with 23, being completely straight. They are consequently adapted to a groove 24 with parallel straight sides . The element with which the rails 23 shall cooperate, is indicated with 25 and comprises a block of plastic mate- rial, cellular plastic. The groove 24 has for example been machined in the surface of the edge by means of a milling operation . This is easy to accomplish, because of the fact that the sides of the groove are parallel and straight, as mentioned previously. A coupling means corresponding to the coupling means 7 - 13 connects the two rails 23. The assembly is in simplified form shown in Fig. 6. In the jointing means illustrated in Fig. 7 the rails are bent with their ends towards each other instead of away from each other as in Fig. 1. The rails are here indicated with 27 and are connected by means of a coupling device 28. The building element, here indi¬ cated with 29, is formed of cellular plastic 30 between two panels 31. The edges are formed by an unbroken profile 32, which is con¬ nected with the panels 31 and forms a groove 33 for the rails 27. As the profile extends for the whole distance between the panels 31 it should be made of a material with limited thermal conductivity, thus not a metal. A hard plastic by way of example a plastic rein¬ forced with fibre glass can on the other hand be utilized. The embodiment illustrated in Figs . 8 and 9 is shown in an app¬ lication in the joint between two building elements 36. Said elements are substantially of the same type as previously shown exhibiting two edge surfaces 37 opposing each other, in each one of which a groove 38 is made. There is a rail device 39 with two rails 40 for the jointing of the elements in question. Equally interspaced screw springs 41 are provided in longitu- dinal direction between the rails and are guided by pins 42, which are attached to one of the rails and move freely in the other rail. In the condition before the mounting operation the springs are com¬ pressed and the rails 40 are pressed together in between them exhi¬ biting a distance, which has a measure above their outwards pointing front surfaces, which is smaller than the width of the intended groov 38. In this position the rails are kept together by means of a strap 44. Thus during the mounting operation it is easy to insert the rail device into the groove 38. When the elements have been adjusted to a correct position, the straps 44 can be cut off, whereby the springs 41 press the rails 40 outwards against the .sides of the groove 38. Thus the fundamental idea of this embodiment implies that the rails are held together in a mounting position, and that subsequently in the mounted position as a result of the force exercised by the springs they are permitted to expand until they abut against the sides of the grooves . The holding-together can in this connection take place in different manners besides the utilization of the illustra¬ ted straps 44. The pin 42 can by way of example be provided with a retaining ring or similar, which forms a stop for the one of the rails 40, which normally moves freely on the pin . A removal of the retaining ring makes the rails expand away from each other. Also the springing means with the helical spring 41 can be substituted by alternative springing means such as for example plate springs . As is evident from the above the jointing essentially comprises the edges of the two building elements , which are going to be jointed, in which edges grooves are made . There is in addition a rail advice comprising two opposing rails , which can be brought to occupy a variable distance relative to each other, and which with respect to their outer surfaces are adapted to the opposing sides of the grooves . Besides that the joint is further provided with a material of cellular plastic, which is enclosed in the space formed by the respective grooves . The manner employed for the introduction of this material will be described in the following in connection with the mounting description of an element according to the invention . The building elements , where the invention can find application, have only been illustrated in part. However, they generally comprise parallelepipedic blocks in the form of outer walls, inner walls , roof elements and floor components . Thus the elements shall be mounted close to each other and be jointed together employing the jointing means according to the invention . The jointing means according to the invention can be applied to the horizontal joints as well as to the vertical joints . When the elements have to be mounted close to each other, the rail device, by way of example a rail device of the shape illustrated in Fig. 2, is first inserted with the rails in brought- together con- dition into the groove of one of the elements , whereafter the other element with its groove is slided over the projecting portion of the rail device. This rail device must be shut up to such an extent that if the grooves exhibit the appearance illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 with the sides widening in inwards direction, the rail device 15 can pass the extreme most narrow portion of the groove . The ele¬ ments need not occupy a predetermined position relative to each other but can be fitted according to any requirements with respect to measures that may be necessary for the location of the elements , and thus , the slit between the edges 1 of the element as shown in Fig. 1 can vary with regard to its width, as long as the rail device 15 bridges the distance between the grooves and can rest against their sides . Thus, after the elements have occupied their correct position relative to each other, the two rails 6 are pulled apart into the posi¬ tion illustrated in Fig. 1. This can take place by pressing in the bar 7 at the same time as a hold is taken of the sleeve 11 of the rail 6, which supports the sleeves 11. During this operation the rail can be retained by means of hooks , if it is provided with holes 35, as is shown in Fig. 2. After the rails 6 have been pulled apart into the position shown in Fig. 1, a foaming plastic material is injected into the space bet- ween the rails and consequently into the space formed by the grooves 3. This plastic material completely fills the space and produces a complete seal of the joint. At the same time an insulating layer is obtained, which can exhibit the same good insulating properties as the material of cellular plastic 5 between the panels 4. The material in the space is after its introduction permitted to cure acquiring the structure of a cellular plastic. This string of cellular plastic at the same time holds the rails 6 and impedes them from getting in contact with each other. By this arrangement a vary stable lock bet¬ ween the elements is obtained. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, where the extreme ends of the rails are swung out away from each other, forces are obtained, which tend to hold together the elements, so that they cannot be separated causing the joints to crack, by way of example in connection with settlings of the building construc¬ tion. By means of the rails a locking at right angle to the joint is at the same time obtained, which locking resists strong forces, so that the elements cannot be displaced or get out of alignment with each other. The plastic material mentioned can suitably be injected through the illustrated and described holes 35 of the rail 6. OMPi After the string of cellular plastic has been inserted, the slits outside of the rails 6 shall be caulked . This can be made by means of injection of further plastic material, which then with respect to its volume is limited by means of a shuttering plate or similar laid against the outside of the panels 4 or by a clean cutting operation after the injection. It is also possible to caulk the slit by means of a fillet, a tape or similar. In the embodiment of the rail according to Figs . 6 and 7 the procedure is identical to the one just described. However, in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 said force urging the elements in direction towards each other is not obtained, as the elements are locked to each other exclusively by the friction forces between the walls of the rails 23 and the grooves 24. In the embodiment accor¬ ding to Fig. 7 forces are obtained, which tend to pull the elements apart. This can be of advantage by way of example in a row of ele¬ ments laid in a rigid frame. As a result of the forces , which tend to pull apart the elements , the latter ones can be accomodated in the frame free from play. In the embodiment according to Figs . 8, 9, it has previously been described, how the rails 40 in the mounted condition are held together by means of the straps 44, so that they easily can be inser¬ ted into the grooves 38. By cutting off the straps , the rails are permitted to expand away from each other under bias of the springs 41 and are thus pressed against the walls of the groove 38. There- after the mass which will acquire the structure of cellular plastic, can be injected through the hole 45, said cellular plastic, which in Fig. 9 has been indicated with 43 then filling the space between the edges 37 and the space in the groove 38. An additional expanding force is thereby obtained, which tends to securely hold the rails 40 in a position resting against the walls of the groove 38. The described pairing of the different types of rail device with straight and in various manners angularly bent rails together with the different types of building elements , thus , with and without outer covering panels and with an without frame elements has been chosen by way of example only, and also other pairings are possible and can even be more suitable than the described ones . .However, the forms of the grooves of the elements must of course be adapted to the shape of the outwards facing front surfaces of the rails . The joint made employing the means according to the invention comprises a sandwich type element composed of different layers of different materials . This is of advantage as seen from the viewpoint of accoustical insulation. By the selection of suitable material for the rails a joint exhibiting a very high degree of fire resistance can be obtained. If the same material is chosen for the rails as for the covering panels of the elements, for example concrete reinforced with fibreglass , substantially the same fire resistance can be obtained for the joint as for the remaining wall construction, and this in spite of the joint for the reason of heat insulation being filled with a mate¬ rial of cellular plastic , which in itself is not very fire resistant. A maximum of uniform fire resistance is obtained, if the elements are designed with such a frame construction that the material of cellular plastic is not anywhere exposed to the ambient air, thus , not either at the edges, which are connected with any jointing element accor¬ ding to the invention . _OASPI _

Claims: Claims : 1. Jointing means between building elements (2) , which exhibit at least one edge (1) arranged to be jointed together in a sealing man¬ ner with a corresponding edge of another building element, said ed- ges being provided with at least one groove (3) made in the surface forming the edge and extending inwards from said surface into the element, at least one jointing means (34) in the form of a long rail element being inserted into the space formed by the grooves of the opposing edge surfaces of the two elements , which jointing means (34) is brought to abut against each other opposing and from the edge surface in inwards direction extending sides of the grooves (3) so that by this arrangement the elements are in sealing manner connected with each other, CHARACTERIZED BY the jointing means (34) comprising a first rail (6) with a front surface, and a second rail (6) with a front surface which rails are connected with each other by means of connecting means (7) and occupy such a position that the front surfaces are facing in outwards direction forming sur¬ faces for said abutment of the jointing means against the each other opposing and from the edge surface in inwards direction extending sides of the grooves, which .connecting means are arranged to permit the moving towards and away from each other of said rails (6) and their pulling apart with a determined force, so that the distance bet¬ ween said front surfaces can be varied, the jointing means being intended to be inserted into the space formed by the grooves , pre- ferably with the rails in brought- together condition, and after the insertion by means of the connecting means (7) with the front sur¬ faces of the rails to be brought to abut against said sides of the grooves by moving the rails away from each other . and to be fixed in this position with the front surfaces of the rails bearing against the sides of the grooves by means of a mass introduced between the rails , preferably a foamed plastic composition, which stiffens forming a string of cellular plastic between the rails , which latter ones for one thing form a seal for said mass and for another thing form a resistant and the building elements (2) engaging locking element for them. 2. Jointing means according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY said each other opposing sides of the grooves in inwards direction widen- ing as counted from the edge surface and by the rails (6) of the jointing means (34) exhibiting front surfaces in V-shape, which is adapted to the V-shape, which a pair of each other opposing building elements (2) belonging to said sides of the grooves form with their edge surfaces (1) , so that a lock exhibiting outwards widening lock¬ ing surfaces is obtained, which lock tends to hold together the two jointed building elements . 3. Jointing means according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED BY each one of the connecting means comprising a spring device (41) , which is aranged to expand the rails (40) in direction away from each other, and in addition releasable locking means (44) , by means of which the rails can be kept at such a distance relative to each other that the rails in one mounting condition can be inserted into the grooves (38) and in mounted condition by releasing the locking means can be brought to abut against the walls of the grooves (38) , so that the spring device (41) expands the rails in direction away from each other. 4. Jointing means according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED BY each one of the connecting means comprising a bar (7) fastened to one of the rails and a means (11) , which is fastened to the other rail and can be displaced along the bar (7) , said means (11) prefer¬ ably being a sleeve surrounding the bar. 5. Jointing means according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED BY the bar (7) and the sleeve (11) each one exhibiting snap-in elements (9, 13) , arranged for their being attached to the respective rail (6) by means of a snap-in operation . O.v.FI WIFO ' iS i

Inventors: MILASZEWSKI E, SETTERGREN C
Applicants: CLAES SETTERGREN AB, MILASZEWSKI E, SETTERGREN C
Application year: 1979
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1, F16B5