Patent Publication Number: US-2004050000-A1

Title: Building module

Description:
[0001] The object-matter of the invention is the building module to be used in constructing skeletons of building walls, first of all these made of timber and timber derivative materials.  
       [0002] Commonly known are toy blocks for children playing provided with tongues and holes made on their surfaces. Tongues of one block are being inserted into corresponding holes of another block.  
       [0003] Generally known is also a building element applicable in erecting of elementary building units provided with an external facing made of timber as well as with the core made of material which forms permanently attached thermal insulation. On the opposite planes it is provided with a tongue and a hole. The external facing is made of two durably joined boards shifted one against the other by the size of the tongue and the hole.  
       [0004] According to the international patent application No W 097/39204, the building module used for building of flat wall constructions, is also known.  
       [0005] This module is provided with two parallel wall sections in a form of planes, external surfaces of which are at the same time external surface of the wall under construction. The timber core of the module joints both parts of a wall and consists in at least one section running longwise the module which—when the next construction module is being attached—is applied to enter between wall sections of this next module vertically in order to form together with it a pin junction which overtakes forces that act crosswise.  
       [0006] Both in this and the other known (e.g. from the European description EP-0 214088 and EP-0 744 507) similar construction solutions referring to modules, vertical forces in principal are being transferred by appropriately matched—in respect of strength factor—plate sections of walls which are at the same time external surfaces of the wall under construction although they do not have a uniform structure. Obtaining any new outfit of walls requires the usage of additional finishing materials.  
       [0007] In order to simplify the construction, in compliance with the invention, the building module being the element of a wall skeleton and provided with equally spaced carrying posts joined crosswise with at least one distance joint that is pulled out outside side planes of terminal posts was designed. The distance joints are fixed to carrying posts in their central section, to one or both their sides and longwise external walls. These sections of the distance joint which have been pulled out outside the side planes of the terminal carrying posts after their assembly with the adjacent modules have a length equal to the distance between the successive posts.  
       [0008] On their frontal sides, carrying posts are provided with known joints (preferably tenon ones) to be used for vertical joining with adjacent modules  
       [0009] Light and simple construction of the module enables to construct material-saving but still stable skeletons of load-bearing walls as well as division walls in buildings with the usage of various building materials. 
     
    
    
     [0010] The object-matter of the invention is presented in examples of making shown in the figure where  
     [0011]FIG. 1 presents the first example of making of the construction module from a top perspective view,  
     [0012]FIG. 2—the same example of module making decomposed into elements and shown from a top perspective view;  
     [0013] FIG.— 3  module from the FIG. 1 from a front or rear view;  
     [0014] FIG.— 4  module from the FIG. 1 from a side view;  
     [0015]FIG. 5—the same module from a top view;  
     [0016]FIG. 6 the second example of module making from a top perspective view;  
     [0017]FIG. 7—module from the FIG. 6 from a front or rear view;  
     [0018]FIG. 8—module from the FIG. 6 from a side view;  
     [0019]FIG. 9—the same module from a top view;  
     [0020]FIG. 10—the third example of module making from a top perspective view;  
     [0021]FIG. 11—module from the FIG. 10 from a front or rear view;  
     [0022]FIG. 12—module from the FIG. 10 from a side view;  
     [0023]FIG. 13—the same module from a top view;  
     [0024]FIG. 14—the fourth example of making from a top perspective view;  
     [0025]FIG. 15—module from the FIG. 14 from a front or rear view;  
     [0026]FIG. 16—module from FIG. 14 from a side view;  
     [0027]FIG. 17—the same module from a top view;  
     [0028]FIG. 18 the fifth example of making from a top perspective view;  
     [0029]FIG. 19—module from the FIG. 18 from a front or rear view;  
     [0030]FIG. 20—module from the FIG. 18 from a side view;  
     [0031]FIG. 21—the same module from a top view;  
     [0032]FIG. 22—the sixth example of making from a top perspective view;  
     [0033]FIG. 23—module from the FIG. 22 from a front or rear view;  
     [0034]FIG. 24—module from the FIG. 22 from a side view;  
     [0035]FIG. 25—the same module from a top view;  
     [0036]FIG. 26—the seventh example of making from a top perspective view;  
     [0037]FIG. 27—module from the FIG. 26 from a front or rear view;  
     [0038]FIG. 28—module from the FIG. 26 from a side view and  
     [0039]FIG. 29—the same module from a top view. 
    
    
     [0040] The building module is composed of at least two vertical carrying posts  1  conveying forces (preferably made in a form of rectangular) and of at least one distance joint  2  (preferably with a rectangle or near-rectangle section).  
     [0041] On the opposite frontal sides, the posts have mortises  5  and tenons  6  which co-operate in order to vertically join together the adjacent modules. The tenons are fixed e.g. at the bottom of posts or they form separate elements such us dowels with a circular section to be plugged into adequately fitted mortises  5  in both frontal sections of these posts, in the middle or near outside walls. The elements of the module are made of timber, timber derivative materials e.g. chipboards or other construction materials with suitable resistance parameters; they are joined together in a rigid way by gluing and/or by means of commonly known mechanical fastening materials such us e.g. nails, screws or steel-stitches.  
     [0042] Smaller mortises  7  made in posts enable a very precise positioning and combining of module elements during the technological process carried on with the usage of mortises  5 .  
     [0043] The module presented in the first example of making shown in the FIGS.  1 , 2 , 3 , 4  and  5  is provided with three equally spaced carrying posts  1 , which in their central section—preferably centrically—have passage holes  8  into which one joint provided with joining ends  3   a  and  3   b  that are pulled out outside terminal posts or the joint provided with flat ends having straight walls  4  is fixed with a water-proof glue. The joining ends  3   a  and  3   b  form together with adjacent modules e.g. frontal tenon-tongue and groove joints. On the other hand, flat walls  4  preferably adhere to flat walls pertaining to joints of adjacent modules or are situated close to them. Ends of joints can be additionally combined one with another with the usage of commonly known mechanical scarves stiffening the whole construction. These sections of the joint which are pulled out outside the terminal posts with the length s 1  and s 2 , have after their joining the length s equal to the distance between the successive opposite posts.  
     [0044] Preserving the equal distance between posts enables optional positioning of modules from the given layer in relation to the modules from the next layer. The modules can be positioned directly, from their lateral side, side by side and attach one on another vertically from a frontal side. Symmetrical construction enables optional longitudinal positioning of the module without distinguishing outside or inside surface of the building wall under construction.  
     [0045] By means of fixing tenons  6  in mortises  5  of the carrying posts  1  and their combining with the distance joint  2  made from its lateral side, any possibility of module displacement both in longitudinal and transwerse directions is limited. Thanks to additional capture of modules with a ground sill and an upper beam, creation of stable units which form skeletons of load-bearing walls and division walls of buildings under construction is ensured. In order to increase stiffness of the module construction of buildings on a larger area, the erected wall skeletons can be additionally screwed by e.g. vertical rod joints. The module presented in the example of making shown in the FIGS.  6 , 7 , 8  and  9  is provided with three carrying posts  1  and one distance joint  2  made in a form of a plate  2   a  which is fixed tangentially to the external walls of the posts.  
     [0046] This plate is provided with joining ends  9  placed on its entire border which serve to lap it with plates of adjacent modules. The plate of the basic module has a rectangular contour whereas plates of these modules which top wall construction merging e.g. with a roof, are chamfered to match roof slope and have a trapezoid shape. Accordingly to a roof slope, also all posts have various heights. Plates that are joined together, form the wall facade or they create supporting units for providing e.g. additional warming outside irrespectively of inside warming put between carrying posts, which form vertical clear areas of passages. The distance joint in a form of a plate is at the same time a protecting shield against rain and wind occurring during the construction process.  
     [0047] The next module presented in the example of making shown in the FIGS.  10 , 11 , 12  and  13  differs from the previous making example with this that it is provided with the additional distance joint  2  in a form of a slat placed at its bottom which is fixed to carrying posts  1  on the opposite side of the joint  2   a  what additionally increases stiffness of the construction skeleton made of them and, at the same time, eases setting up of successive modules one on another.  
     [0048] The joint in a form of a slat, the lower edge of which is placed approximately on the level of the lower edge of the plate joint, is being dropped down in such a way that it stands out outside the lower face of posts for the distance equal at least to the projecting sections of tenons  6  in order to protect them against any possible damage during transportation in this case when tenons are permanently fixed to the posts.  
     [0049] The module presented in the example of making shown in the FIGS.  14 , 15 , 16  and  17  in order to increase its stiffness is provided with two additional distance joints  2  in a form of slats which are fixed to external planes of carrying posts  1  at their lower and upper sections. The joints are situated one in relation to another in parallel or near-parallel way.  
     [0050] The module presented in the example of making shown in FIGS. 18, 19,  20  and  21  is provided with three carrying posts  1  and two distance joints  2  made in a form of slats. The joints are fixed on both sides i.e. tangentially to external walls of posts in their central section. In order to increase stiffness, these joints can be introduced partially or entirely into horizontal recesses of carrying posts in such a way that their external planes are moved away or they are in line with external planes of these posts.  
     [0051] The module presented in the next example of making shown in the FIGS. 22, 23,  24  and  25  is provided with three carrying posts  1  and three distance joints  2  (in a form of slats), two of which i.e. upper and lower placed preferably in parallel, are fixed e.g. tangentially to the external walls of the posts together with a third joint situated on the opposite side.  
     [0052] Elements of wall finishing which are fixed to joints, are distant from the external surfaces of posts by a joint thickness dimension what enables free handling of installation materials both vertical as well as longwise walls without any necessity to provide recesses in the posts.  
     [0053] The module presented in the last example of making shown in the FIGS. 26, 27,  28  and  29  is provided with three carrying posts  1 , on both external sides of which (in the lower and upper sections) two distance joints  2  situated in parallel one in relation to another are fixed.  
     [0054] The joints situated on one side of the posts are entirely inserted into the horizontal recesses whereas on the opposite side they are fixed tangentially to the external walls what—in the case that these joints are placed at the inside part of the building—enables also free handling of installation materials.  
     [0055] Simple and light construction of modules in accordance with the invention makes it possible to erect load-bearing walls and partition walls with the application of various construction materials including carton-gypsum walls (e.g. dry walls) for inside walls which are fixed directly to the distance joints  2  and/or carrying posts  1  without any necessity to use additional supporting units.  
     [0056] The modules are to be applied for construction of wall skeletons of apartment buildings, bungalows, office buildings, restaurants and premises.  
     [0057] Depth, width and length of modules can be optional within a wide range. Thanks to their lightweight, dimensions of the module may exceed 1m2 of the wall settlement. Depending on the module overall dimensions, size of skeletons which are erected with their usage and the final assignment of buildings as well as taking into account requirements in respect of strength parameters and material economy, modules containing from two to four carrying posts  1  and from one to four distance joints  2  which fully meet quality requirements binding in relation to building constructions can be preferably performed.  
     [0058] The joints are fixed in passage holes  8  of the posts or to their external walls, in which horizontal recesses can be made in order to enable partial or entire introduction of joints. The joint ends which have been pulled out outside the terminal carrying posts, are provided with joining ends  3   a ,  3   b  and  9  and/or with flat walls  4 , which—in the course of skeleton assembly—are preferably joined in a rigid way with adjacent modules joints.  
     [0059] During the process of thicker walls construction, sets of narrower modules to be fixed in parallel layers may be applied. In order to ease construction of walls and assembly of windows and door, despite basic modules e.g. these provided with three or four carrying posts  1 , also smaller modules provided with two posts are formed. The modules from adjacent layers are shifted by the dimension s of a distance between posts in order to increase stiffness and stability of the whole construction.