Abstract:
Modular construction elements are produced by assembling cross posts and longitudinal posts to form a frame of exact specification having a void between the assembled posts. Planks are affixed to the assembled posts and an insulation medium may be located within the void to enhance performance of the elements. The modular construction elements are interconnected by interposing a joiner therebetween. The joiner has a receptacle casing, a round bolt and a screw structure. When the screw structure is in place and initially engaged with the modular construction elements, it is actuated to urge the elements together in a desirable fashion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Application No. 19712347.3, filed Mar. 25, 1997. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Structural frames for use as modular structural units for buildings, as well as the procedure for the manufacture of such a structural frame 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention refers to a pre-fabricated structural frame, especially a wall unit, consisting of wood beams (hereinafter called posts) or beams of natural stone for use as a modular structural unit for buildings or other such constructions. Furthermore, the invention refers to a procedure for the manufacture of such a structural frame part. 
     The reason or starting point of the present invention was that it has clearly become increasingly unaffordable to finance the construction of a home. In addition to real estate prices, construction costs play a crucial role. 
     Although prefabrication technology has been well known for quite some time, conventional prefabricated homes are still relatively expensive. Wooden houses, especially framework houses, have also long been constructed using conventional technology. The problem has been that the finished beams and posts require a relatively large degree of work and are therefore very costly to cut. In addition, the surface must be treated, so that in the end no money is saved. 
     One particular problem in the construction of the aforementioned prefabricated houses on the one hand and the framework houses on the other hand is that disassembling them generally requires that the houses are (or must be) destroyed. 
     The task of the present invention is to introduce a structural frame for use in the construction of a building, which can be manufactured extremely inexpensively and which nevertheless satisfies all requirements for stability and durability. The structural frame in accordance with the present invention should guarantee a simple joining or assembly technology, through which the individual structural frames can be relatively simply disassembled without destroying them, and through which they can also be reassembled without difficulty in a new arrangement or combination. 
     One especially crucial starting point of the present invention involves the positive use or application of by-products from a sawmill (or from a quarry), which are of low quality due to their imprecise measurements. 
     The present invention is designed in such a way that the posts (wood beams or beams of natural stone) are subject to tolerance, especially rough cut parts, which are joined together in such a way that a structural frame with exactly predetermined overall dimensions (length and width) is created. The opening of the structural framework is covered using planking materials also subject to tolerance, especially rough cut parts; the longitudinal beams, and if necessary the cross beams as well, have grooves lengthwise on the outside, into which sealing wedges are placed during construction in order to improve the sealing effect. 
     The procedure for the manufacture of these structural frames is also characterized by two cross posts facing one another, which are mounted on an assembly/work table in such a way that their outer dimensions correspond to the predetermined outer dimensions of the structural frame, that the cross posts are cut to length according to the predetermined outer dimensions, that both of the laterally adjoining/ending longitudinal posts are cut and fitted according to the predetermined inner dimensions of the mounted cross posts, and that the cross and longitudinal posts are joined in the corner area. 
     In other words than those used in the aforementioned secondary claim, the basis of the present invention consists of using roughly measured materials, especially rough cut wood beams or wood boards (as well as stone beams), as the basic materials for modular structural frames and joining these in such a way that—in reference to the crucial outer dimensions of the overall structure—a frame of exact dimensions is created, which can be joined to (and disassembled from) other structural frames of comparable type and size using conventional kit technology. 
     It is easily understandable that there is a significant decrease in construction costs, not only because of the considerable reduction in the price of construction parts, but also because of the more favorable construction time and the fact that there is no longer a need for heavy equipment. 
     In consideration of the assembly of structural frames, a (frame) joiner is proposed in the further embodiment of the present invention, which allows—in other words than those used in Claim  5 —two structural frames to be pulled together through a combination of a left/right screw thread, until they are sufficiently close to one another. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the construction and use of a modular construction element comprising two cross posts of substantially identical predetermined length between remote cross post ends, two longitudinal posts of substantially identical predetermined length between remote longitudinal post ends, and at least two sheets of planking each having substantially identical predetermined dimensions. Each of the cross posts and each of the longitudinal posts has an inner edge and an outer edge, and each of the cross posts is secured at its respective remote cross post ends to a remote longitudinal post end such that each cross post inner edge faces its opposing cross post inner edge and each longitudinal post inner edge faces its opposing longitudinal post inner edge, the respective inner edges of the respective cross posts and longitudinal posts define a void therebetween, in much the same manner as a picture frame. 
     The respective outer edges of the secured cross posts and the longitudinal posts define a substantially exact predetermined overall dimension of the modular construction element. Furthermore, the substantially identical predetermined dimensions of each of the at least two sheets of planking are substantially the same as the exact predetermined overall dimension of the modular construction element. Accordingly, each of the at least two sheets of planking are affixed to the cross posts and the longitudinal posts in such a manner as to substantially seal the void defined therebetween. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular construction elements may be interconnected by placing two of the modular construction elements in general planar alignment. Next, at least one joiner for attaching the respective modular construction elements and for maintaining the respective modular construction elements in general planar alignment is interposed therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, each joiner comprises at least one receptacle casing defining a cylindrical void therethrough, a round bolt for receiving at least one receptacle casing, and at least one screw structure for radial insertion through the receptacle casing and round bolt. Next, the interconnection is completed by engaging the screw structure with each of the two modular construction elements and tightening the screw structure to securely interconnect the modular construction units. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention is described below only by way of example using the drawings, which show the following: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram explaining the procedure of manufacturing a structural frame; 
     FIG. 2 is an excerpt of one perspective of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an example of a structural frame with exact measurements; 
     FIG. 4 is an excerpt of one perspective of a wall made up of two assembled structural frames; 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration (in accordance with excerpt A of FIG. 4) of the joining of structural frames; 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of a joiner in accordance with FIG. 5, in the form of an enlarged drawing. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the basic idea underlying the present invention. This basic idea consists of the economical use of materials subject to tolerance, especially rough cut wood beams and wood boards (posts), which also results in added value, which are joined in a structural frame whose overall dimensions are precisely correct despite the imprecise measurements of the rough cut posts (and whose hollow insulation spaces are filled with insulating materials, especially with by-products from sawmills). 
     The starting point is an assembly/work table  1  (assembly island) on which the posts are mounted relative to one another and sized (cut). Assuming that the structural frame to be produced is rectangular in shape, a cross post  2  is first placed on and secured to the work table 1 (see arrow ac), parallel to a guide groove ( 20 )—see FIG.  2 —alongside which machining tools or such can be used. In the second step, the second cross post  3  is placed on the board and mounted (see arrow β) and secured so that the outsides of both cross posts  2 ,  3  are exactly parallel to one another; in this step, the outer sides define the exact dimensions of the length L of the structural frame to be produced. Then both cross posts  2 ,  3  are cut to the length of the width B of the structural frame, at an exact right angle to the outer sides. Next, the first longitudinal post  4  is placed on the board and cut so that it corresponds to the inside measurement of the cross posts  2 ,  3 ; this longitudinal post  4  is then inserted between the cross posts  2 ,  3  (see arrow μ) to fit exactly. The cross posts of  2 ,  3  and the longitudinal post  4  are only joined to one another in the corner area, so that the lengthwise side of the structural frame is sturdily attached. Then the second longitudinal post  5  is placed on the board, cut to correspond to the inside measurement of the cross posts, and inserted between the cross posts  2 ,  3  (see arrow δ). The outside of the second longitudinal post  5  is joined on the wall end of cross posts  2 ,  3 . 
     FIG. 2 shows an excerpt of the structural frame  10  produced using the procedure described in FIG. 1, in the area of the second cross post  3  and the two longitudinal posts  4 ,  5 . The illustration in FIG. 2 specifically shows the guide grooves  20  of the assembly/work table, alongside of which the machining, guiding and locking tools can be adjusted and secured in a precise manner. 
     FIG. 3 shows a finished structural frame  10 , consisting of two precisely cut cross posts  2 ,  3  and two inserted longitudinal posts  4 ,  5  of exact fit. The cross posts  2 ,  3  on the one hand (through their relation to one another) guarantee the exact measurement of the length L and on the other hand (through their length) and on the other hand, the exact measurement of the width B. When using this frame as a modular unit, the opening between the, cross posts and the longitudinal posts—as indicated by the dotted lines—is then provided with (if necessary, using the so-called board layer procedure producing multilayer) planking  100 ; the space between the planking  100  can of course be filled with a suitable insulation material. 
     FIG. 4 shows an excerpt of an area of wall in the corner area of two—in this case identical—structural frames  10 ,  10 ′. This illustration especially clearly shows that the posts in the corner areas of the structural frames  10 ,  10 ′ are joined together by clamps or dowels  11 . The illustration also shows that the openings between the posts are covered with single-layer or multi-layered planking  100  made up of lengthwise and crosswise, or if necessary diagonally placed materials subject to tolerance, particularly rough cut wood beams or boards (or other woodworking materials) which firmly join the structural frames  10 ,  10 ′. In the illustration in FIG. 4, it is especially clear to see how the space between the planking  100  and the posts is filled with insulation material  13 , especially with wood shavings and/or wood chips (therefore by-products of the sawmill industry). 
     The illustration in FIG. 4 should especially also show how the adjoining structural flames  10 ,  10 ′ are joined together. The joiners developed in connection with the structural frames  10 ,  10 ′ in accordance with the present invention (see FIG.  5 /FIG. 6) assumes that in each of the structural frames  10 ,  10 ′ there are receiving drill holes  15  which are spaced at appropriate distances apart, in order to receive the receptacle casings and round bolts—as shown in FIG.  5 —which are then pulled together relative to one another through a right/left screw thread combination, until the sides of the frame are sufficiently joined. The structural frames  10 ,  10 ′ can also be pulled together using additional clamps  14  if necessary. FIG. 4 also illustrates that the longitudinal posts  4 ,  5  and—as shown here—the wall end of the cross posts  2  or  2 ′ each have grooves  200 , in which sealing wedges are placed during assembly. This significantly improves the sealing effect (insulation) of the buildings produced using the structural frame in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 essentially shows excerpt “A” from FIG. 4, explaining and disclosing the joiner of two structural frames  10 ,  10 ′ in a cross section viewed through the longitudinal posts  4 ,  5 . Each of the longitudinal posts  4 ,  5 —as already mentioned in reference to FIG.  4 —has a receiving drill hole  15  into which a receptacle casing  30  is fitted. A round bolt  31  is then placed into each side of this receptacle casing  30 . The round bolt  31  includes a screw structure  32 , each of which coaxially and diametrically to the round bolts  31  includes a thread base with a right thread  33  and a left thread  34 . The two thread bases  33 ,  34  are located in the receiving holes of the round bolts  31  and can be drilled into the longitudinal post  4 ,  5  by drilling in the receptacle casings  30  on the inner side of the longitudinal posts  4 ,  5 . Therefore, if the screwing structure  32  is screwed through a central multi-edged base  35 , the two longitudinal posts  4 ,  5  are pulled together through the opposite thread bases  33 ,  34  (see arrow X). 
     In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 5, there are two round bolts  31  and one screw structure  32  for each joining/tension part between the two longitudinal posts  4 ,  5 . However, in principle this connection can also be achieved through the screw structure  32  alone. To complete the picture, it should also be noted that the space between the plankings  12  in the area of the joiners is closed with suitable elements and that for disassembly, these structures only need to be removed in order to once again detach the bolted joint. 
     FIG. 6 shows a receptacle casing  30 , a round bolt  31  and a screw element  32  in detail. The receptacle casing  30  has a cut  301  at both wall ends; across from these cuts  301  there is a drilling  302  in the receptacle casing  30 . If during assembly the round bolts  31  are inserted in the receptacle casing  30 , the screw structure  32 , which hangs loose in the round bolt  31 , extends through the cut  301  into the interior of the receptacle casing  30 . The top of the thread base  33  (or  34 ) extends through the drilling  302  and penetrates the longitudinal posts  4 ,  5 . The longitudinal posts  4 ,  5  are pulled together by screwing the multi-edged base  35 . 
     In consideration of the use/processing of materials subject to tolerance, especially rough cut wood beams/wood posts, it should also be noted that sound-proofing is significantly improved as compared to conventional wooden modules.