JOINT STRUCTURE PARTICULARLY FOR BUILDING COMPONENTS AND A BUILDING COMPONENT BASED ON THE SAME

Abstract: The present invention is related to joint structure particularly suited for use in building components, said joint structure comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2), whose interconnection forms a joint in which said first part (1) has a first edge (3) and, disposed at a distance from said first edge, a second edge (4) with a profiled web (5) disposed between said edges, and said joint further having a second part having a first edge (9) and, disposed at a distance from said first edge, a second edge (10) with a profiled web (11) disposed between said edges, and said joint having said profiled webs (5, 11) arranged to mate at least partially with each other. To said first part (1) of the intercomponent joint there is formed a groove (8) opening toward said first edge (3), whereby at least one inner wall of said groove (8) provides a backing surface for a mating member (12) of said second part, further, on said first part (1) there is formed at least one second backing surface (7) capable of providing a leverage point serving to compress said mating member (12) of said second part against said backing surface of said groove (8) made to said first part when the mating parts of the joint structure are abutted at said second edges (4, 10) disposed on the other side of the joint in regard to the mating of said first part with the corresponding backing surface (7) of said second part.

Description: Joint structure particularly for building components and a building component based on the same The present invention relates to a building component joint structure according to the preamble of claim 1 . The invention also concerns a building component according to the preamble of claim 8. The use of modular components in building is a generally applied and widely favoured method of construction. Modular components offer a convenient technique of assembling solid, contiguous structures of high dimensional accuracy and consistent quality. Building from prefabricated components is popular, because modular components having, e.g., a sandwich structure, offer sufficient strength qualities without the need for any separate frame structure, are easy to manufacture industrially and can be transported with a high volumetric efficiency. The use of the modular components is most effec ¬ tive when they act as a protective and load-bearing structure. Frequently, the components can provide only one of these two advantageous properties. However, a problem area in the use of modular components arises from the difficulty of interconnecting the components so that a homogeneous joint can be attained with a modular construction that can be dismounted and disposes with the need for any substantial additional structures or any special capabilities to attain a required degree of joint tightness. In conventional modular component structures, roof panel structures in particular are the most problematic to design for good tightness unless major efforts are undertaken to achieve watertightness of assembled panels. Such extra work- steps, however, eliminate the erection efficiency attainable by means of modular component systems and invalidate the reuse of the components. Among others, one of the disadvantages of conventional roof panel structures is that it has often been necessary to penetrate the uniform lining material with, e.g., screw fixtures or feedthroughs that increase the risk of leaks. Additionally, moisture entering the joint area can easily cause severe structural problems in the use of modular components. It is an object of the present invention to provide an entirely novel kind of mating intercomponent joint profile and of modular components utilizing said profile, particularly in roof panels. The invention is characterized by what is stated in the appended claims. The continuous joint sections according to the invention offer a plurality of significant benefits. The mating connection of the joint sections provides effortlessly a watertight joint. By using the novel joint profile in the edges of a modular building component, the components can be assembled from either side. The joint structure needs no extra measures for attaining full watertightness. The joint structure provides homogeneous watertight joints. Furthermore, the joint structure is capable of guiding entering water away in a controlled manner. The shape of the joint profile also facilitates the interconnection of component edge joint sections and building components of different thicknesses. In the following, the invention will be examined in more detail with reference to the attached drawings in which Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a joint made by interconnecting the joint edge sections according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of mating joint edge sections according to the invention during a mounting phase; Figure 3 shows another cross-sectional view of mating joint edge sections according to the invention during a mounting phase; Figure 4 shows another embodiment of mating joint edge sections according to the invention; and Figure 5 shows building components implemented using the mating joint edge sections according to the invention. Referring to Fig. 1 , therein is shown a joint structure particularly suited for use in building components. The joint comprises a first part 1 and a second part 2, whereby the interconnection of these mating continuous sections forms a joint including a first edge 3 in said first part 1 and, disposed at a distance from said first edge, a second edge 4 with a profiled web 5 disposed between said edges, and said joint further including a first edge 9 in said second part and, disposed at a distance from said first edge, a second edge 10 with a profiled web 1 1 disposed between said edges, and said joint having said profiled web portions 5, 1 1 arranged to mate at least partially with each other. To said first part 1 of the intercomponent joint there is formed a groove 8 opening toward said first edge 3, whereby at least one inner wall of said groove 8 provides a backing surface for a mating member 1 2 of said second part, further, on said first part 1 there formed at least one second backing surface 7 that is capable of forming a leverage point serving to compress said mating member 1 2 of said second part against said backing surface of said groove 8 made to said first part when the mating parts of the joint structure are abutted at said second edges 4, 10 disposed on the other side of the joint in regard to the mating of said first part with the corresponding backing surface 7 of said second part. In Fig. 1 , the joint edge sections 1 , 2 are shown in a mating position. In Fig. 2, the joint edge sections 1 , 2 are shown in their mounting phase, wherein the first part 1 is mounted in place and the mating member 1 2 of the second part is being fitted in the groove 8 of the first part. Now, when the second part 2 is pushed to abut also at its lower edge against the first part 1 so that the mating side surfaces 5, 1 1 of the webs will be compressed against each other by the leverage effect when the mating member 1 2 rests tightly against the corresponding backing surface of the groove 8. On the edge of the web 5 is formed a projection 6 which in the case illustrated in the diagram extends upwards from its juncture with the web 5, whereby the juncture also forms the backing surface 7. Between the projection 6 and the web 5 is formed a groove 8 which in the illustrated case is oriented upward. The portion of the web 5 forming said backing surface 7 is shaped to reach slantedly toward the projection 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating member 1 2 of the second part is provided with a shape that essentially mates with that inner wall of the groove 8 which is closer to the second part 2. Advantageously, the mating member 1 2 made to extend downward at an angle from the plane of the upper edge 9, most advantageously forming a right angle therewith. Between the mating member 1 2 and the side wall 1 1 of the second part, there is formed a downward opening groove which is capable of accommodating the projection 6 of the first part 1 when the joint is assembled. The joint can be assembled having either the first or the second part 1 , 2 mounted in place. In Fig. 3 is shown a situation similar to that shown in Fig. 2, now having the first part 1 being fitted on the mounted part 2. Thus, the joint is formed by fitting one of the joint parts on the other in an oblique manner (Figs. 2 and 3), and having the mating member 1 2 inserted in the groove 8, the free ends of the parts 1 , 2 are allowed to mate with each other, whereby the leverage effect causes the surface of the backing member to press against the wall of the groove 8. The parts 1 , 2 can be fixed to each other by means of a screw, rivet or similar fixing element driven through their web portions 5, 1 1 . Alternatively, the parts 1 , 2 can be attached to each other by welding at their bottom edges 4, 10. Further, any other suitable fixing means 1 3 or method can be employed that is capable of fixing the free edges of the mating parts to each other, particularly advantageously in a clamping manner. The fixing means 1 3 shown in the diagram is a flat strip attached to the edges 4, 10 by screws, for instance (denoted by dotted lines in Fig. 1 ). The groove 8 forms a water drain channel. The lower edge of the mating member 12 is displaced at a distance from the bottom of the groove 8. Hence, the access of water into the underlying structures is prevented as the recessed groove bottom remains below the depth at which the surfaces of the mating member 1 2 and the side wall of the groove 8 meet each other. The first part 1 and the second part 2 are advantageously made from suitably profiled continuous sections. Thus, it is easy to assemble contiguous structures having a continuous water drain channel 8 along which water falling on, e.g., roof elements can run by gravitation. The intercomponent seam can be sealed using conventional sealants such as rubber, sheet metal or polymer seals, or alternatively, caulked using a variety of different caulking compounds such as silicone or polyurethane compounds. Advantageously, the continuous sections 1 , 2 forming the intercomponent joint structure have equal heights. Then, the use of the mating continuous sections in intercomponent joints facilitates easy manufacture of standard- height panels. Alternatively, the joint sections 1 , 2 can be made of essentially unequal height. One possible design of this type is shown in Fig. 4. The design shown therein may be employed, e.g., for interconnection of panels of unequal height. Thus, the invention also relates to a building component in which at least one first edge is provided with said first joint part 1 and at least one second edge with said second joint part 2. The building components may be of an insulating or noninsulating type. Typically, a building component has a first lining 1 6 attached to said first edge 3, 9 of said joint sections 1 , 2 so that the mating surfaces of said joint sections 1 , 2 are placed on the essentially opposite edges of the component. Additionally, the building component may have a second lining 1 7 attached to said second edge 4, 10 of said joint sections 1 , 2. Further, the linings of the component may have at least one insulating core layer 1 8 placed therebetween. In Fig. 5 are shown two building components 1 9 adjacently abutting each other at their edges. The invention also concerns continuous joint edge sections suitable for use as said first part 1 and said second part 2 of an intercomponent joint. The continuous joint sections can be made any conventional material such as metals, different grades of plastic, wood, etc. Correspondingly, the continuous joint sections may be employed attached to building components made from a variety of conventional materials such as wood, plywood, steel, plastic or combinations thereof. The joint sections must be dimensioned so that a rigid joint will be formed when the joint parts are properly connected. The webs of the continuous sections 5, 1 1 serving to stiffen the joint structure can be made with a variety of different shapes including a square, rectangle, polygon, V-shaped tongue-and-groove, circular or semicircular form as well as all free-form shapes. In Fig. 1 , the sections are stiffened by means of a mating V-shaped tongue-and-groove combination 14, 1 5. To those versed in the art, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to the exemplifying embodiments described above, but rather can varied within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims: Claims: 1. Joint structure particularly suited for use in building components, said joint structure comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2), whose inter- connection forms a joint in which said first part (1) has a first edge (3) and, disposed at a distance from said first edge, a second edge (4) with a profiled web (5) disposed between said edges, and said joint further having a second part having a first edge (9) and, disposed at a distance from said first edge, a second edge (10) with a profiled web (11) disposed between said edges, and said joint having said profiled webs (5, 11) arranged to mate at least partially with each other, characterized in that to said first part (1 ) of the intercomponent joint there is formed a groove (8) opening toward said first edge (3), whereby at least one inner wall of said groove (8) provides a backing surface for a mating member (12) of said second part, that on said first part (1) there is formed at least one second backing surface (7) capable of providing a leverage point serving to compress said mating member (12) of said second part against said backing surface of said groove (8) made to said first part when the mating parts of the joint structure are abutted at said second edges (4, 10) disposed on the other side of the joint in regard to the mating of said first part with the corresponding backing surface (7) of said second part. 2. Joint structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said groove (8) forms a water drainage channel. 3. Joint structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said joint can be assembled having either of said first or second part already mounted in place. 4. Joint structure according to any of claims 1 -3, characterized in that the bottom edge of said mating member (12) is displaced at a distance from the bottom of said groove (8). 5. Joint structure according to any of claims 1 -4, characte rized in that said first part (1) and said second part (2) are continuous sections. 6. Joint structure according to any of claims 1 - 5, characte rized in that said joint parts (1, 2) have an equal height. 7. Joint structure according to any of claims 1 -6, characterized in that said joint parts (1, 2) have a substantially unequal height. 8. Building component having said first joint part (1) adapted to its first edge and said second joint part (2) adapted to one second edge thereof. 9. Joint structure section suitable for use as said first part (1) in the joint structure according to claim 1. 10. Joint structure section suitable for use as said second part (2) in the joint structure according to claim 1.

Inventors: HAAPIAINEN HEIKKI, HAAPIAINEN, HEIKKI
Applicants: HAAPIAINEN HEIKKI, HAAPIAINEN, HEIKKI
Application year: 1999
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1