Patent Publication Number: US-11391043-B2

Title: Modular system and kit for the dry building of structures for constructions, as well as a building method thereof

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally applicable in the field of civil engineering and it relates in particular to a system and a kit for the dry building of structures for constructions, i.e. without using concrete, adhesive, resins or other similar bonds. 
     The invention also relates to a method of building such building constructions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modular elements which may be reciprocally coupled for the dry building of structures for constructions, in particular walls and/or floors of house are known. 
     Such modular elements generally have an elongated longitudinal shape, such as axes, beams, and/or columns, which are coupled to each other by male-female coupling systems to provide a reticular load bearing structure and thus more generally a building, an house or the like. 
     This structures of buildings have limited structural strength and in particular low strength to horizontal forces, such as forces acting on the wall due to wind, earthquakes, or loads of one or more people leaning on the same wall. 
     In order to stiffen the load-bearing structure, systems are known which comprise a plurality of stiffening elements, such as beam and/or tie rods, arranged along predetermined directions generally transverse to the beams and columns directions, in order to stiffen the supporting structure so as to improve its resistance along predetermined directions. 
     However, such stiffening elements have a limited effect on the mechanical resistance of the whole structure and furthermore the strength of the latter is not homogeneous with zones having greater resistance and zones having less resistance. 
     Furthermore, such stiffening elements cause wall and/or floor thickening for increasing the bulkiness and/or for compromising the aesthetic appearance of the whole building. 
     Modular elements having substantially planar shape are also known, i.e. planar modular elements having an outer shape so that when they are coupled with other planar modular elements in a predetermined way, they form a substantially full load bearing structure. 
     However, the planar modular elements are not easily movable, thus making the transportation and assembly costly, and having different shape depending on the building structures to be built. In other words, the structures of building construction so built need to nip a planning in the bud and do not allow to modify the configuration of the structure once built and/or to reuse such planar modular elements to make structures having different configurations. 
     Furthermore, both for the insulation elements installation and for the systems placement, it is necessary to build a false-wall and/or false-floor or it is necessary to intervene on the same structure, for example by forming a plurality of holes or grooves in the panels. 
     Such operations are particularly costly, compromise the structural rigidity of the whole structure and make difficult to reuse the modular elements to build structures of different configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a modular system for the dry building of structures for constructions having features of high functionality and low cost. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular system for the dry building of structures for constructions that allows a reconfiguration thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular system for the dry building of structures for constructions in a simple and fast way. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular system for the dry building of structures for constructions having a high mechanical resistance. 
     Such objects, as well as others that will appear more clearly hereinafter, are fulfilled by a system, kit, and method for the dry building of structures for constructions having one or more of the features herein described, shown and/or claimed. 
     The dependent claims describes advantageous embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent by reading the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, shown as non-limiting example with the help of the annexed figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an axonometric view of an embodiment of a building B; 
         FIG. 2  is an axonometric view of the building B of  FIG. 1  without the panels  5 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of some reticular structures  100 ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are an axonometric view of some details of two modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ respectively disjointed and jointed; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are axonometric views of different embodiments of the modular axis  10 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded axonometric view of the structure  2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment of the assembled structure  2 ; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are different side views of the embodiment of the structure  2  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of another embodiment of the assembled structure  2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the figures cited above, a modular system  1  is described for the dry building of structures for constructions  2  such as walls, floors, balconies, roofs or the like. 
     The structure  2  may be a load bearing structure or not. 
     In this document, the term “structure” or similar means an assembly of structural elements which by its nature is suitable to support compression, traction and cutting stress. 
     In this document, the term “building construction” or similar means a structure or an assembly of two or more structures for the building of a building construction, whether it is a building structure or a nonbuilding structure. 
     As schematically shown in  FIG. 1 , the structures  2  may be connected to each other in a per se known manner for building a building construction B, such as houses, garages or the like, lying on a supporting surface S such as a ground. Possibly, known means for reciprocally connecting the structures  2  such as plates, angles or the like may be provided. 
     As particularly shown in  FIG. 7 , the structure  2  may be essentially formed by a reticular structure  100  and a planar structure  200 , reciprocally anchored by anchoring means  300 . 
     The reticular structure  100  may be formed by a plurality of modular axes  10 ,  10 ′, which may be reciprocally jointed, preferably in a removable manner. Once jointed the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be flush with each other. 
     More in detail, the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be substantially planar to define a respective plane ππ′ and may have substantially longitudinal development to define a respective longitudinal axis X, X′. 
     For example, the modular axes  10 , defining plane π and longitudinal axis X, may be substantially vertical, whereas the modular axes  10 ′, defining plane π′ and longitudinal axis X′, may be substantially horizontal. 
     However, it is understood that the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may have any orientation and any reciprocal angle without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the annexed claims. 
     Each modular axis  10 ,  10 ′ may have two end portions  101 ,  102  and a central portion  103 . 
     Suitably, once the axes  10 ,  10 ′ are jointed, the latter may cooperate to define the main development plan πP of the reticular structure  100 . 
     To this end, as shown in  FIG. 3 , each axis  10 ,  10 ′ may comprise a plurality of jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ which may preferably be equidistant each other so that each axis  10  joins a plurality of axes  10 ′ to form the reticular structure  100 . 
     Suitably, the jointing zone  11  may comprise at least one male element  12  and at least one female element  13  susceptible to engage with corresponding female  13 ′ and male  12 ′ elements of a respective jointing zone  11 ′ of another modular axis  10 ′. 
     As particularly shown in  FIG. 4B , the male and female elements  12 ,  13  are configured so that when the same male and female elements  12 ,  13  of two different axes  10 ,  10 ′ are engaged, the respective planes π, π′ thereof are substantially perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the plane πP. 
     Moreover, the engagement between the male and female elements  12 ,  13  of two modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be of a removable type so as to allow an operator to join/disjoin the axes  10 ,  10 ′. 
     Thanks to this feature, once the construction B is built, it may be possible to expand, reconfigure or even dismantle the latter and reuse the axes  10 ,  10 ′ for a different construction B. 
     Possibly, as schematically shown in  FIG. 3 , the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may have different lengths to form reticular structures  100  having different configurations, for example, the reticular structures  100  may have space for a door, window or the like. In this way, complex constructions B may be built. 
     In any case, each of the jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ may include a portion  15  and an opposite portion  16 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the portions  15 ,  16  may be opposed to a median plane πP substantially perpendicular to the planes π, π′ of the axes  10 ,  10 ′. 
     The portion  15  may include one of the male and female element  12 ,  13 , whereas the portion  16  may include the other of the male and female element  12 ,  13 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the portions  15  may include the female element  13 , whereas the portions  16  may include the male element  12 . In other words, the female element  13  and the male element  12  may all be faced to the opposite sides of the axis  10 ,  10 ′ along the whole extension thereof. 
     According to a particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may comprise a longitudinal part  19  in which the portions  15  of the respective jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ lie above the median plane πP and include the female element  13  whereas the portions  16  of the respective jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ lie below the median plane πP and include the male element  12 . Furthermore, a longitudinal part  20  consecutively to the part  19  may be provided, in which the portions  15  of the respective jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ lie above the median plane πP and include the male element  12 , whereas the portions  16  of the respective jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ lie below the median plane πP and include the female element  13 . 
     In other words, the female elements  13  may be for the first part  19  facing one side of the axis  10 ,  10 ′ and for the second part  20  facing the opposite side of the same axis  10 ,  10 ′. 
     In this way, cantilever structural elements such as balconies may be easily built. In particular, as schematically shown in  FIG. 6 , the female elements  13  may be placed on the side of the axis  10 ,  10 ′ subjected to the compression stress and vice versa the male elements  12  may be placed on the side of the axis  10 ,  10 ′ subjected to the traction stress. 
     More in detail, the female element  13  may include or consisting of a groove substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, whereas the male element  12  may be defined by a substantially continuous portion of the axis  10 ,  10 ′. 
     Suitably, the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may have a predetermined thickness S 10 , S 10 ′. On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the grooves  13  may have a width L 13  substantially equal to the thickness S 10 , S 10 ′ of the axes  10 ,  10 ′ so that once the latter are jointed the clearance therebetween is minimized. Preferably, the clearance may be almost zero. 
     Furthermore, the grooves  13  may have a depth H 13  substantially equal to the half of the width L 10  of the axes  10 ,  10 ′. Thus, once the axes  10 ,  10 ′ are jointed, the reticular structure  100  may have a thickness S 2  substantially equal to the width L 10 . In other words, the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be flush with each other. 
     In this way the whole reticular structure  100  may structurally cooperate with the planar structure  200 . 
     Both the main portions  110 ,  120  of the reticular structure  100  may thus be substantially plane and may have a development substantially parallel to the main development plan πP. The main portions  110 ,  120  may be connected to each other by the lateral portions  130 . 
     Suitably, the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be all equal to each other so as to facilitate the stock storage and to minimize the cost. 
     Advantageously, the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may further be symmetrical with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the planes π, π′, so as the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be used regardless of the orientation, i.e. upright or upside down. 
     In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may furthermore have end portions  101 ,  102  having the same configuration, so as the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be used upright or upside down. 
     The anchoring means  300  may be anyone, for example glue or a plurality of screws, nails or similar elements. 
     Preferably, such anchoring means  300  may be completely or at least partially removable so as to allow an operator the at least partial removal thereof for varying the configuration of the construction B or of part thereof. 
     Suitably, the system  1  may comprise a plurality of planar panels  5  anchorable to the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ by the anchoring means  300 . The panels  5  may be faced to each other to form the planar structure  200 , which may define a plane π″. 
     It is understood that although in the annexed figures the panels have a parallelepiped and generally elongated shape, they may be of any shape. For example, the panels may be substantially square and may be placed side by side both along the axes  10  and the axes  10 ′. 
     More specifically, each planar panel  5  may have a pair of substantially parallel opposite main faces  210 ,  220  and a plurality of lateral edges  230 , preferably in mutual contact. 
     However, it is understood that panels may also be operatively connected to each other. 
     In this text, the term “operatively connected” and its derivatives means that two or more elements are connected by any means susceptible to transfer the stresses exerted on an element to the adjacent ones. For example, a spacer or a layer of glue may be interposed between the panels. 
     It is understood that once the planar panels  5  are reciprocally placed side by side, the opposite main faces  210 ,  220  of each planar panels  5  may define the corresponding main opposite faces of the whole planar structure  200 , whereas the juxtaposed peripheral lateral edges  230  may define the peripheral lateral edges of the whole planar structure  200 . 
     In any case the panels  5  may have the main face  220  in contact or operatively connected with the main plane portion  110  of the reticular structure  100 , so that the latter and the planar structure  200  are anchored to each other. 
     Advantageously, as particularly shown in  FIG. 8 , such anchorage may be at least in correspondence or in proximity of the end portions  101 ,  102  of each modular axis  10 ,  10 ′. For example, in case the anchoring means  300  are defined by nails or screws, the latter may be placed as above described. 
     In this way, several advantages may be provided. 
     First of all, the planar structure  200  may act as brace for the reticular structure  100  counteracting the lateral forces F 3  and preventing that the same reticular structure  100  deforms itself. 
     Moreover, the planar structure  200  may prevent the inflection of the modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ in case of axial load F 2  on one or more thereof. For example, if the structure  2  is a wall, the axial load F 2  imparted by the floor on the vertical modular axes  10  may be effectively counteracted by the planar structure  200  anchored as above described, preventing that the same vertical modular axes  10  become instable. 
     Apparently, the above may analogously happen in case of lateral loads for the horizontal axes  10 ′, e.g. during an earthquake. 
     Furthermore, thanks to the above described features, the planar structure  200  may cooperate with the reticular structure  100  to support the compression in the case of normal load F 3  acting on the same planar structure  200 , for example in case of structure  2  configured as a floor or during an earthquake. 
     Advantageously, if necessary the planar structure  200  may be reciprocally anchored with the plane modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ even in correspondence of the central portion  103  thereof. 
     In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, for example shown in  FIG. 11 , each of the plane modular axes  10 ,  10 ′ may include anchoring means  300 , for example one or more screws or nails, between each consecutive pair of jointing zones  11 . 
     Advantageously, both the reticular structure  100  and the planar structure  200  may rest on the supporting surface S or may be connected thereto in any manner. In this way, distributing the load of the construction B equally along the whole supporting surface, the overloading of the vertical modular axes  10  may be prevented. 
     More particularly, one of the lateral portions  130  of the reticular structure  100  and one or more lateral edges  230  of one or more of the planar panels  5  (depending on the configuration thereof) may be in contact or operatively connected with the supporting surface S. 
     It is understood that in addition to the above structural function, the planar panels  5  may even have aesthetic function and/or protection function and/or thermal insulation function and/or sound insulation function and/or protection function against atmospheric and/or similar events. 
     The panels  5  may be internally and/or externally coupled to the axes  10 ,  10 ′, so as to be substantially parallel or coincident with the main development plane πP. 
     However, the panels  5  may be preferably coupled externally to the reticular structure  100 , whereas cover elements  5 ′ of a known type, for example made of plasterboard, plastic, metal, chipboard or OSB (Oriented Strand Board), may be placed at the inner side of the reticular structure  100 . 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may comprise a plurality of passing through openings  21 , for example holes, having an axis Y substantially transverse to the plane π, π′ of each modular axis  10 ,  10 ′ to allow the passage of installations and/or pipes. 
     In more detail, the reticular structure  100  may include a plurality of quadrangular cells  8 , which may house pipes, installations and/or insulating elements P. In particular, the cells  8  may have walls  9  defined by the zone interposed between two jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ of each modular axis  10 ,  10 ′. 
     Preferably, as shown in the annexed figures, each of the walls  9  may be defined by two consecutive jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′. In this case, the cells  8  may be substantially square. 
     More in detail, two consecutive holes may have a predetermined reciprocal distance d 21 , which may be essentially equal to the distance d 11  between two jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′ so that each passing through hole  21  remains interposed between the two consecutive jointing zones  11 ,  11 ′. 
     In this way, each cell  8  may include at least one of the passing through holes  21 . Preferably, as shown in the annexed figures, each cell  8  may comprise a plurality of passing through holes  21 , e.g. four passing through holes  21 . 
     Suitably, the cells  8  and the pipes, installations and/or insulating elements P within them may remain accessible to the operator even once the structure  2  has been formed. 
     To this end, it is possible e.g. to remove one or more of the internal cover elements  5 ′, as shown in  FIG. 10 , or to use cover elements  5 ′ and/or panels  5  having one or more inspection windows. 
     Thanks to these features, maintenance operations may be particularly easy and low cost. 
     The axes  10 ,  10 ′ and/or panels  5  may be made of wood or in a material including wood, for example plywood, lamellar wood or multilayer wood. 
     It is understood that it is not mandatory that the materials of the axes  10 ,  10 ′ and the one of panels  5  are the same, as well as that not all the axes  10 ,  10 ′ or all the panels  5  are made of the same material. 
     For example, the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may be made of wood whereas the panels  5  may be made of multilayer wood, or the vertical axes  10  may made of wood, the horizontal axes  10 ′ may be made of lamellar wood and the panels  5  may be made of multilayer wood. 
     Preferably, the axes  10 ,  10 ′ may made of wood having longitudinally oriented fibers, since it is more suitable for counteract the axial load. 
     In use, in order to form the structure  2  may be sufficient initially providing the modular axes  10 , the planar panels  5  and the anchoring means  300 , and then assembling the various parts as above described. 
     More in particular, initially the modular axes  10  may be jointed and crossed together to form the reticular structure  100  and then anchoring the panels  5  to the latter, taking care to assemble the panels  5  as above described so as to form the planar structure  200 . 
     In this step, the anchoring means  300  on the planar structure  200  may be arranged as above described, for example as shown in  FIG. 8 or 11 . 
     As used herein, with the expression “providing” or derivative thereof is meant the preparation of an element of interest to a process step of interest, thus including any preventive treatment act for the optimum exploiting of the same step of interest, from the simple withdrawal and possible storage to pre-heat and/or chemical and/or physical treatments and the like. 
     From the above description, it is clear that the invention achieves the intended objects. 
     The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all included in the annexed claims. All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different depending on the needs, without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the annexed claims.