Patent Publication Number: US-9885172-B2

Title: Building structure including balcony

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/223,757, filed Jul. 8, 2009, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to building construction and, more specifically, to a building structure including a balcony. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the field of building construction, and specifically with respect to the erection of multi-story buildings, a building structure typically includes a framing structure and a flooring structure. The framing structure includes the main load-bearing structure of a building that maintains the stability and structural integrity of the building. The flooring structure includes the floor that is supported by the framing structure. The typical multi-story building structure consists of a plurality of columns that are interconnected with beams and flooring sections that are supported by the beams. 
     The Applicant desires to create a need and market for an improved building structure that includes a balcony. Such a building structure may satisfy future needs by providing increased resistance to damage due to weather, a stable balcony structure, and drainage capability. These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent from the description provided herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     The various embodiments of the present invention provide a building structure that integrates a cantilevered section with elements of a flooring structure and a framing structure to provide a balcony. The cantilevered section includes an end that is embedded in a poured bonding structure. The poured bonding structure also integrates elements of the flooring structure, elements of the framing structure, and elements of the flooring structure with elements of the framing structure. 
     As the end of the cantilevered section is embedded in the poured bonding structure, the cantilevered section can be assembled with the framing structure and the flooring structure prior to integrating the assembled elements with a poured bonding structure. This can reduce the time to erect the building structure as well as create a highly stable balcony. In addition, a connection between the cantilevered section and other elements of the building structure is hidden and weather resistant. 
     The poured bonding structure supports an embedded end of the cantilevered section and can further embed a connection between the cantilevered section and elements of the building structure. For example, the cantilevered section can be connected to the building structure before the poured bonding structure is formed and the connection can be embedded in the poured bonding structure when the poured bonding structure is formed. Accordingly, the connection is hidden and protected from damage, for example, due to weather. 
     The poured bonding structure provides and/or reinforces a connection between the cantilevered section and the building structure, which permits the balcony to have an increased length while maintaining the stability of the balcony. In addition, a connection that is reinforced by the poured bonding structure is permitted to be relatively weak. For example, a short fillet weld connection that is faster to apply although potentially weaker than a full length fillet may be used to reduce the time that is required to assemble the building structure since the weld connection is reinforced by the poured bonding structure. 
     The end of the cantilevered section is inset with respect to the point at which the cantilevered section begins to be embedded in the poured bonding structure. The distance that the end of the cantilevered section is inset is a function of the support to the cantilevered section. 
     To improve the drainage capability of the framing structure, the top surface of the flooring structure can be raised with respect to the top surface of the cantilevered section. A ridge or lip is positioned therebetween. The lip keeps water from flowing from the top surface of the cantilevered section to the top surface of the floor structure. The poured bonding structure can provide the top surface of the floor structure. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a building structure includes a beam, a cantilevered section, and a poured bonding structure. The beam includes a first side wall that defines, in part, an upward facing cavity and the first side wall includes an opening. The cantilevered section is received in the opening and a proximal end of the cantilevered section is positioned in the cavity. The poured bonding structure at least partially fills the cavity to embed the proximal end of the cantilevered section. 
     The building structure can further include means for securing the position of the proximal end of the cantilevered section in the cavity to position and support the cantilevered section before the poured bonding structure is formed. For example, means for securing the position can include a plate, an anchor embedded in a pre-cast concrete slab, a stud, rebar, other weldable joints, other elements that can be welded together, elements that can be bolted to one another, elements that hook to one another, elements that are mechanically fastened to one another, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     For example, means for securing can include one or more connecting elements that connect the proximal end of the cantilevered section to the building structure to secure the position of the proximal end of the cantilevered section. The connecting elements can be positioned in the cavity and embedded in the poured bonding structure. Here, the connecting elements provide a first connection between the building structure and the cantilevered section and the poured bonding structure provides a second connection to reinforce the first connection. Where the exemplary first connection is provided by metal components that are welded together, the poured bonding structure protects the metal components from rusting, corroding, or other potential damage due to exposure. 
     In certain embodiments, the building structure further includes a flooring section that includes an end that is supported by the beam opposite the first side wall. The supported end defines the cavity and can include hollow voids that open to the cavity. The poured bonding structure fills the hollow voids to connect the flooring section to the other elements of the building structure. The poured bonding structure includes a layer that is formed on the flooring section. The layer can include an upper surface that is raised with respect to the upper surface of the cantilevered section such that there is a lip or ridge that prevents drainage from the cantilevered section onto the floor surface defined by the layer. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a column supports an end of the beam. The column includes a hollow interior and an opening to the hollow interior that is aligned with the cavity. Accordingly, poured bonding material that is poured into the beam can flow through the opening and the poured bonding structure fills the hollow interior. 
     The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a framing structure, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded partial perspective view of the framing structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the framing structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial plan view of the framing structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of a framing structure according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded partial perspective view of a framing structure according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the framing structure of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views of a framing structure according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the disclosure are described herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary examples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a first exemplary embodiment of a building structure is described. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a building structure  10  includes a framing structure and a flooring structure that are integrally connected by a poured bonding structure. Specifically, the illustrated building structure  10  includes a plurality of columns  12 , a plurality of beams  14 , a plurality of flooring sections  16 , a cantilevered section  18 , and a poured bonding structure  20  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     The columns  12 , beams  14 , flooring sections  16 , and cantilevered section  18  can be formed from material or materials that have characteristics which meet or exceed minimum performance requirements such as but not limited to steel, aluminum, wood, pre-cast concrete, composite materials, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     The illustrated flooring sections  16  and the illustrated cantilevered section  18  are pre-cast concrete. In alternative embodiments, the flooring sections and cantilevered sections can include metal deck sections, wood planks, solid pre-cast concrete planks, aerated autoclaved concrete planks, poured-in-place structures, double T planks, single T planks, post-tensioned pre-cast sections, composite structures, slabs, plates, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     The poured bonding structure  20  is a pourable bonding material  20  that has solidified. As used herein, the term “pourable bonding material” is used to include a bonding material in a moldable or substantially fluid state and the term “poured bonding structure” is used to include a bonding material in a substantially rigid state. Bonding materials can include concrete, plasticized materials, cementitious materials, cement, grout, Gyperete®, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , generally described, the beams  14  extend in a longitudinal direction and the ends thereof are supported by columns  12  at a height that corresponds to a floor or level of the building structure  10 . Flooring sections  16  extend in a transverse direction and the ends thereof are supported by beams  14 . The flooring sections  16  provide a base layer of a floor of the building structure  10 . The illustrated cantilevered sections  18  provide an extension of the floor and are supported at one end. As will be described in further detail below, the poured bonding structure  20  integrates the columns  12 , the beams  14 , the flooring sections  16 , and the cantilevered section  18 . Accordingly, the building structure  10  is substantially unitary and has improved structural characteristics. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the elements of the building structure  10  are described in further detail. The illustrated framing structure is formed from pluralities of like-numbered elements that are substantially similar. Although only a representative one or representative ones of the like-numbered elements may be described in detail, this description is generally applicable to each of the other like-numbered elements. Numbers alone are used to generally reference a like-numbered element or group of like numbered elements and suffixes such as “a” or “b” are attached to the numbers in order to reference individual ones of the like-numbered elements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated column  12  is a hollow-interior, box-style beam having a substantially square cross-section defined by four walls  22 . The column  12  includes openings  24  that are disposed in certain of the walls  22  so as to provide a passageway between the exterior and the hollow interior of the column  12 . The size, shape, and number of openings  24  are determined so as to allow the pourable bonding material  20  to flow through the opening  24  without substantially adversely affecting the structural integrity of the column  12 . The illustrated openings  24  are disposed in the column  12  at positions that generally correspond to where the ends of beams  14  substantially meet the column  12 . In other words, the openings  24  are positioned to generally correspond to the floors of the building structure  10 . The openings  24  of the columns  12  substantially align with cavities  28  of the beams  14 . In alternative embodiments not using hollow columns, there is no opening  24 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , the illustrated building structure  10  includes two types of beams  14   a ,  14   b  that are substantially similar except that the inner beam  14   a  is configured to support ends of opposing flooring sections  16  while the outer beam  14   b  is configured to support an end of a flooring section  16  and to support the cantilevered section  18 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , each beam  14   a ,  14   b  has a trough-like or channel-like structure and is oriented such that the cavity  28  is upward facing. The cavity  28  functions to receive and retain pourable materials. Each of the illustrated beams  14   a ,  14   b  has a squared, U-shaped cross section. The inner beam  14   a  is symmetric with side walls being substantially the same length while the outer beam  14   b  is asymmetric with one side wall being longer than the other. In alternative embodiments, the cross-section of the beam  14  can be L-shaped, V-shaped, rounded U-shaped, H-shaped, and any other shape that provides the functionality described herein. 
     Each of the illustrated beams  14   a ,  14   b  includes a base wall  30  and side walls  32   a ,  32   b  that extend vertically upward from the base wall so as to define the cavity  28 . flanges  34   a ,  34   b  extend inwardly from the upper ends of the respective side walls  32   a ,  32   b  and can provide a surface for supporting flooring sections  16 , as described in further detail below. Alternatively, the flanges  34   a ,  34   b  can be arranged to extend outwardly from the side walls  32   a ,  32   b , one flange can extend inwardly and the other outwardly, and flanges can extend both inwardly and outwardly. The end of each of the illustrated beams  14   a ,  14   b  further includes a notch  35  ( FIG. 1 ) that is configured to receive a column  12 . The shape of the notch  35  is substantially that of the cross section of the column  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the outer side wall  32   a  of outer beam  14   b  is taller than the inner side wall  32   b  of outer beam  14   b  and includes an opening  36  that is configured to receive a proximal or supported end  38  of the cantilevered section  18 . The shape of the opening  36  is substantially that of the cross section of the cantilevered section  18  to obstruct pourable bonding material  20  from flowing through the opening  36  once the cantilevered section  18  is received in the opening  36 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the illustrated flooring sections  16  include hollow voids  40  that facilitate integration of the flooring sections  16  with the other elements of the building structure  10 , as described in further detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the hollow voids  40  is plugged with a core stop  42  that is positioned within the hollow void  40  at a distance from the open end of the hollow void  40 . 
     The illustrated cantilevered section  18  includes an anchor  44  to facilitate securing the supported end  38  of the cantilevered section  18  in the cavity  28  of the outer beam  14   b . The illustrated anchor  44  is a metal structure that is embedded in the supported end  38  of the cantilevered section  18 . The illustrated cantilevered section  18  also includes a length of rebar  46  that is at least partially embedded in the cantilevered section  18 . An end of the rebar  46  extends from the cantilevered section  18  through the cavity  28  and over the flooring section  16  so as to be positioned to be embedded in the poured bonding structure  20 . In alternative embodiments, the rebar  46  also functions as the anchor  44 , as described below. 
     An exemplary method of constructing the building structure  10  is now described. It is contemplated that the building structure  10  can be erected according to alternative methods. For example, the order of the steps of the exemplary method can be altered, steps can be added, and steps can be omitted. Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a plurality of columns  12  are substantially vertically erected and a plurality of beams  14  are positioned to extend substantially horizontally and longitudinally between erected columns  12  such that the cavities  28  of the beams  14  align with the openings  24  of the columns  12 . 
     The ends of adjacent beams  14  abut one another and a column  12  is received in the notches  35  therebetween. The abutting ends of the side walls  32   a ,  32   b  of the beams can be attached, such as by bolting or welding, to one another. Abutting beams  14  provide a substantially continuous beam  14  having a base wall  30  that is interrupted by a column  12  and having side walls  32   a ,  32   b  and flanges  34   a ,  34   b  that are substantially continuous. As such, pourable bonding material  20  that is poured into the beam  14  can flow into and around the column  12 . 
     Flooring sections  16  are supported at opposed ends by beams  14 . One end of each illustrated flooring section  16  is supported by the side wall  32   a  and flange  34   a  of the inner beam  14   a  and the other end of each flooring section  16  is supported by side wall  32   b  and flange  34   b  of the outer beam  14   b . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the end of the illustrated flooring section  16  that is supported by the flange  34   b  of the outer beam  14   b  partially defines a wall of the cavity  28  of outer beam  14   b . The hollow voids  40  are adjacent the cavity  28  such that the hollow voids  40  are filled with pourable bonding material  20  as the cavity  28  is filled with pourable bonding material  20 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 2-4 , the supported end  38  of the cantilevered section  18  is inserted through the opening  36  such that the supported end  38  is positioned in the cavity  28  with a distance D 1  between the side wall  32   a  and the innermost end wall of the cantilevered section  18 . The distance D 1  can be increased to increasingly support the supported end  38  of the cantilevered section  18  as the supported end  38  is more deeply embedded in the poured bonding structure  20 . The cantilevered section extends from the side wall  32   a  for a distance D 2 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor  44  and a plate  50  are configured to secure the position of the cantilevered section  18 . Particularly, the supported end  38  is positioned in the cavity  28  prior to the pourable bonding material  20  being poured. The illustrated plate  50  is fillet welded  52  to the base wall  30  and extends into the cavity  28  so as to be positioned to abut the anchor  44  as the supported end  38  is positioned in the cavity  28 . The abutting anchor  44  and plate  50  are fillet welded  52  together to secure the position of the cantilevered section  18 . In alternative embodiments, the anchor  44  is eliminated and the rebar  46  is attached to the plate  50 . Thus the anchor may be rebar or another element such as a plate. Referring momentarily to an alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each of a flooring section  16  and a cantilevered section  18  include anchors  44  and a plate  50  is fillet welded  52  to each of the anchors  44  to secure the position of the cantilevered section  18 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , in the illustrated embodiment, the pourable bonding material  20  is poured to fill the cavity  28 , to fill the hollow interior of the column  12 , to fill the hollow voids  40 , to embed the connected anchor  44  and plate  50 , to embed the supported end  38  of the cantilevered section  18 , and to form a floor layer  20   a  on top of both the flooring section  16  and the supported end  38  of the cantilevered section  18 . The cavity  28  first channels the pourable bonding material  20  through the openings  24  and into the hollow interiors of the columns  12 . Once the columns  12  have filled to the level of the base wall  30  of the beam  14 , the cavity  28  begins to fill. As the cavity  28  fills, the connection between the base wall  30  and the plate  50  and the connection between the plate  50  and the anchor  44  are embedded in pourable bonding material  20 . Further, the hollow voids  40  fill with pourable bonding material  20 . Once the cavity  28  has filled, the floor layer  20   a  begins to form. As the floor layer  20   a  forms, the rebar  46  is embedded in pourable bonding material  20 . The floor layer  20   a  can be formed such that the top surface of the floor layer  20   a  is raised with respect to the top surface of the flange  34   a . The height of the side wall  32   a  is related to the thickness of the floor layer  20   a.    
     The top surface of the floor layer  20   a  is raised with respect to the top surface of the cantilevered section  18 . There is a lip  54  or ridge between the floor layer  20   a  and the cantilevered section  18 . The lip  54  facilitates draining water or directing runoff from the cantilevered section  18 . For example, the lip  54  can prevent water from flowing from the cantilevered section  18  to the floor layer  20   a.    
     Once the pourable bonding material  20  solidifies, the resulting poured bonding structure  20  integrally connects the columns  12 , beams  14 , flooring sections  16 , and cantilevered sections  18  to provide the integrated building structure  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a second exemplary embodiment of a building structure  110  is described. Where elements of the second exemplary embodiment are substantially similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment, like element designations have been used and the description of such elements will not be repeated except for purposes of teaching. The description of the second embodiment will be directed to elements that are different from those of the first embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a slot  136  is formed in the side wall  32   a  and the flange  34   a  such that the cantilevered section  18  can be received in the slot  136  with the supported end  38  positioned in the cavity  28 . The slot  136  permits the cantilevered section  18  to be dropped or lowered into place. In alternative embodiments, the slot can be a notch, a recess, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     In this embodiment, the supported end  38  is stepped or configured such that the floor layer  20   a  of the poured bonding structure  20  can top the supported end  38 . A recess  60  in the supported end  38  provides a region where the poured bonding structure  20  can top the supported end  38 . The illustrated slot  136  receives the cantilevered section  18  such that an upper surface  62  of the cantilevered section  18  is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the flange  34   a  and the upper surface of the poured bonding structure  20 . Poured bonding material  20  is obstructed by both the side wall  32   a  and the recess  60  so as not to overflow out of the cavity  28  or onto the upper surface  62  of the cantilevered section  18 . This arrangement provides ease of assembly of the building structure  110  and support at the supported end  38 . 
     Also, in the illustrated embodiment, referring to  FIG. 7 , lengths of rebar  46  that are embedded in the cantilevered section  18  are used to secure the cantilevered section  18  to the flooring section  16  and to the beam  14 . An anchor  44  is embedded in the flooring section  16  one length of rebar  46  is secured to the anchor  44  with a fillet weld  52 . The other length of rebar  46  is secured to the beam  14  with a fillet weld  52 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a building structure  210  includes cantilever support straps  250 . One end of each of the support straps  250  is welded to embedded anchors  44  (hidden) in the cantilevered section  18  and the opposed end of each of the support straps is attached to a flooring section  16  with a concrete anchor. The illustrated beam  14  includes a ledge  215  that extends into the cavity  28  and supports and positions the supported end of the cantilevered section  18 . 
     The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.