SYSTEM OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
Technical Field
The present invention concerns a system of structure elements to form different erect constructions. The erect constructions may be fences, pergolas, tents, summerhouses etc. for use outdoors, or may be bookshelves, shop fittings etc for use indoors .
Prior Art
It is previously known to use columns, crossbeams, fittings etc. to form different erect constructions. With the expression "erect constructions" as used in the present description is meant fences, pergolas, tents, summerhouses, bookshelves, shop fittings etc.
It is common to use massive columns when forming the different parts as stated above. Such massive columns will have a substantial weight which is a drawback regarding transport of the structural elements. They usually have a rectangular section in order to minimize the weight in relation to the bearing capacity and their fittings cannot be integrated in the column. The rectangular section will further need the use of different kinds of fittings to be able to attach beams in all four directions.
Columns similar to the present invention can be built manually. However, it will prove complicated and time- consuming and need considerable specialized skills to achieve correct alignment and the heights that are requested.
The Invention
One object of the present invention is to supply a system of standardised structural elements, which could be used to form different erect constructions.
A further object of the present invention is that the structural elements without any alterations or additional, devices shall be possible to extend in four directions at any time and from any column in the system. Still a further object of the present invention is that the structural elements should be fairly simple to connect to each other, in order to form different constructions .
Still a further object of the present invention is that the structural elements should be adapted to facilitate transport.
Yet a further object of the present invention is that the number of different parts needed to form the structural elements should be kept at a minimum. These objects are met by a system of structural elements to form erect constructions, which elements comprise columns, crossbeams and fittings. The columns are formed of at least two battens arranged at a distance from each other. Further objects and advantages with the present invention will be obvious for a person skilled in the art from reading the detailed description of preferred embodiments below.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will be described further below by way of an example and with reference to the enclosed drawings . In the drawings :
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of different structural elements and illustrating forming of a column according to the present invention;
Figs. 2a and 2b are side views of different fittings according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a node formed by the fittings of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a footing according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the forming of erect constructions according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a horizontal view in section of a node according to the invention;
Fig. 7 is a vertical view in section of the node of Fig . 6 ;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a transportation position;
Fig. 9 is an example of a fence formed by using the structural elements of the present invention; and
_Fig. 1,(3 is an example of a pergola formed by using the structural elements of the present invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The present invention comprises a number or a system of structural elements for forming erect constructions. The structural elements in the shown embodiment comprise battens 9, crossbeams 3, different types of fittings 4, 5, 6 and footings 7. The fittings are batten fittings 4, 5 and beam fittings 6.
The columns 1, 2 are normally formed of two battens 9 ("2-u column") or four battens 9 ("4-u column"), respectively. Preferably, the battens 9 are square-sawed. In other embodiments (not shown) battens which are not square-sawed are used. The battens 9 are fixed to each other two and two in an equal distance from each other. The distance between the two battens 9 normally corresponds to the width of one crossbeam 3 plus the thickness of two batten fittings 4, 5. In the shown embodiment the width of one batten 9 corresponds to the width of one crossbeam 3. This is an advantage in transport, as one batten 9 could be placed in said distance between two battens 9 fixed to each other, as indicated in Fig. 8.
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the system to create any construction from a simple fence to a summerhouse.
In Fig. 9 a fence built by using structural elements according to the present invention is shown as an example . To build the fence a number of accessories 8 are added. The shown part of the fence is formed of two columns 2, connected by two crossbeams 3. On the crossbeams 3 a number of wooden boards are fixed and each column 2 has a wooden plate at the top as protection. In Fig. 10 a pergola is shown as an example. The pergola differs from the fence of Fig. 9 in that the columns 2 are higher and that there are three crossbeams 3. By the ipreseμJ: invention it is possible to build pergola right into a house and place a door under the upper crossbeam 3.
When the system of structural elements according to the invention is used for building e.g. a summerhouse or a playhouse the walls of the house may be built on or attached to the crossbeams 3. The crossbeams 3 are attached to the columns 1, 2 as stated above.
If the erect, construction is to be used outdoors the columns 1, 2 are normally placed on a footing as described above. As the battens 9 forming the columns 1, 2 normally are made of wood it is an advantage if they are placed at a small distance above the ground, in order to minimize the risk of negative influence from the ground.
The system of structural elements may also be used indoors to build bookshelves, shop fittings, screenings, partition walls etc. For indoor use the footing has the form of a plate or the like (not shown) .
Even if the system of structural elements is developed with the use of wood in mind, except for the fittings and anchor normally made of metal, a person skilled in the art realises that other materials may be used. Such other materials are e.g. metals used also for
the columns, crossbeams etc., which metals preferably are light metals. Different plastics may also be used.
The system of structural elements is suitable to use for different constructions for self-assembly. In transport and storing the columns 1 made of two battens 9 may be joined two and two as described above. However, it is also possible to transport and store the columns 1 or even the battens 9 separated from each other.