WO2002099210A1

WO2002099210A1 - Construction system

Info

Publication number: WO2002099210A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/002283
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Andre Abbott-Wilcox
Original assignee: Woodcarving Technology Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-06-05
Filing date: 2002-05-31
Publication date: 2002-12-12
Also published as: GB0113521D0

Abstract

A timber-framed building comprises a vertical post (12) and a plurality of horizontal beams (14). The post (12) has an end profile (30) which includes four slot mortises (32) each of which has a flared cross-section and tapers towards blind end (36). Each beam (14) has an end profile (40) which includes a flared tenon (42) which also tapers. The flared tenon (42) is a sliding fit in any one of the slot mortises (32). Each beam (14) is attached to the post (12) by sliding its flared tenon (42) into a respective slot mortise (32), with the resulting wedge-like action therebetween preventing the beam (14) from pulling away from the post (12). A tension bar assembly (50) is used to apply a clamping force through the beam (14) to the post (12).

Description

TITLE: CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for constructing a building, particularly but not exclusively timber-framed constructions.

BACKGROUND ART There is considerable interest in traditional-looking timber-framed buildings, for use as garages, or more complex garden outbuildings, or even as extensions to existing houses. In recent time, a modular system of construction has been adopted for buildings of this kind in order to introduce cost savings associated with a manufactured item as opposed to a bespoke one. In the modular system the framework components are standardised to a degree so that they may be put together in different permutations to provide a variety of different building designs. However, a large number of different components are seemingly required to complete even one building, and alternative components need to be provided if a full range of different types of buildings are to be offered.

The present applicant has appreciated that existing modular timber-framed buildings may be simplified to great advantage .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of components for constructing a building, comprising at least one elongate beam part and at least one elongate post part, the parts having interengaging end profiles for connecting one part at an angle (e.g. at right angles) to the other, wherein the interengaging end profiles slidingly engage in a first direction and resist separation in a second direction when engaged.

The interengaging end profiles thus provide a connection that positively slots together to create a self locking fixing; unlike other construction methods, there are no bolts or other metal fastenings to be seen. By using the kit, structures for buildings as diverse as a simple rose arbour and a three car garage can be created, simply by using additional beam and post parts. Typically, the first and second direction will be mutually perpendicular (e.g. parts slot together in a vertical direction and resist separation in a horizontal direction) . The interengaging end profiles may comprise a mortise formed in one part and a tenon formed in the other part . The tenon may be flared and the mortise may have a corresponding section; in other words, the tenon tapers to provide a wedge like action to resist separation of the parts when engaged. The flaring or tapering tenon provides the interlocking action with the corresponding mortise. The mortise may comprise a blind channel extending from a free surface of the part in which it is formed. With such a slot mortise, the blind channel may taper along its length, being widest adjacent the free surface from which it extends. Thus, the flaring tenon may taper in two directions, one parallel to the longitudinal axis of the part in which it is formed and one perpendicular to it. Such a profile may provide a more positive locating action than a conventional dovetail-type joint.

The periphery of the tenon which faces the mortise as the two interengaging profiles slidingly engage may be curved. A curved periphery may help with locating the tenon in the corresponding mortise as the parts are connected together.

The at least one elongate post part may have an interengaging end profile for connecting with that of the at least one elongate beam in at least two different positions, one position being angularly offset around the longitudinal beam axis relative to the other. The two positions may be offset at an angle of 90°. The at least one elongate post part may have an interengaging end profile for connecting with four beams simultaneously. In this way, the post may be used as a central post, a corner post or even a side post of a modular rectangular building. Typically, the at least one beam part will have an interengaging end profile at each end to connect with a spaced apart pair of post parts .

The kit of components may further comprise a brace for bracing the two parts together when the interengaging end profiles are connection together. The brace may provide architectural interest as well as additional stiffness to the resulting structure. At least one of the parts (e.g. the elongate post part) may include a mortise-like recess for receiving one end of the brace when bracing the two parts together. The said one end of the brace may be pinned in the recess, e.g. with a wooden peg. The other end of the brace may be bolted to its respective part (e.g. a bolt may be fixed through the elongate beam part to engage the brace) .

In one embodiment, the recess may be laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the at least one part in which it is formed. Offsetting the recess gives the part greater flexibility for use in different styles of buildings. For example, it may be used in the construction of buildings where the preference is either for the brace to be located towards the front of the post (i.e. provides space for patio windows behind brace) or for the brace to be located towards the back of the post (i.e. provides space for garage door in front of brace) . The kit of parts may further comprise a tension bar assembly for securing one part connected to the other when the interengaging end profiles are fully engaged. The tension bar assembly may comprise a hub received in an axial bore in the elongate post part, and may further comprise a bolt for threadably engaging the hub, the bolt extending through the at least one beam-part such that the beam is urged towards the post as the bolt threadably engages the hub. The bolt may be housed in an open channel in the at least one beam-part, with the channel opening providing access to screw the bolt into the hub. The hub may be configured to receive a bolt in one of at least two different positions, one position being angularly offset relative to the other. The tension bar assembly enables the parts to be engaged with a tight fit to eliminate relative movement of one part to the other, whilst still allowing for reasonable tolerances in the interengaging end profiles.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of components for constructing a building, comprising: at least one elongate beam part and at least one elongate post part, the parts having interengaging end profiles for connecting one part at an angle to the other; and a tension bar assembly for securing one part to the other when the interengaging profiles are fully engaged. The tension bar assembly may comprise a hub embedded in an axial bore (e.g. blind bore) in one end of the elongate post part, and a bolt for threadably engaging the hub, the bolt being mounted in the elongate beam part such that the beam part is urged towards the post part when the bolt threadably engages the hub. The bolt may be housed in an open channel in the at least one beam part, with the channel opening providing access for bolting the bolt to the hub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an illustration of the framework of a timber-framed building which embodies the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of components used in the timber-framed building of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing interengaging end profiles of a beam shown in Figures 1 and 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows the superstructure of a timber-framed building 10 which comprises a plurality of vertical posts 12 supporting horizontal beams 1 . Braces 16 are fitted beams 14 and posts 12 to increase stiffness and lend architectural interest. The posts 12 are fixed to the ground 18, in some cases using base plates 20 which are bolted to the foundations . The uppermost end of the posts 12 and the ends of the beams 14 have interengaging end profiles 30,40 (see Figure 2) which interlock, holding the superstructure together.

Figure 2 shows in detail how three beams 14 interlock with one of the posts 12 (as would be the case for a post located in the middle of one of the building walls) . The 5 post 12 has an end profile 30 which includes four slot mortises 32 - one on each side of the post 12, and with each extending in an axial direction from the uppermost end 34 of the post 12. Each slot mortise 32 has a flared section, with opposing sides being mutually inclined such

10 that the width of the mortise increases with depth. Furthermore, each slot mortise tapers along its length, with the width of the mortise narrowing towards blind end 36. The slot mortises 32 are configured to hold corresponding flared tenons 42 on end profiles 40 of beams

15 14.

As shown in Figure 3, the interengaging end profile 40 of beam 14 includes a flared tenon 42. In other words, tenon 42 has a width (w) which is greater at the extreme end (position A) of the beam 14 than a position spaced

20 along the beam 14 (e.g. position B) . Thus, the tenon 42 has a "dovetail" cross-section when viewed from above. The tenon 42 also tapers in a second direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam 14. Thus, sides 46 of tenon 42 are mutually inclined at an

25 angle ( ) . The narrowest end 48 of the tenon 42 has a rounded periphery.

Referring back to Figure 2, each beam 14 is connected to the post 12 by sliding the tenon 42 downwards into one of the corresponding slot mortises 32 once the tenon 42 has been first registered with the mortise opening in end 34 of the post 12. The interengaging end profiles 30,40 are a snug fit and wedge together, locking the beam and post together and preventing the beam 14 from moving horizontally away from the post 12. Thereafter a tension bar assembly 50 is used to clamp the beam 14 and post 12 together. The tension bar assembly 50 comprises a hub 52 and bolts 54. The hub 52 is configured to be received in a blind bore 56 in the centre of end 34 of the post 12. Each bolt 54 is configured to be received in channel 58 provided in each beam 14, with the bolt head and washer 60 which are too big to pass through the channel 58 being received in the enlarged cavity 62. Once all the beams 14 and any decorative bracelet 64 are connected to the beam 12, the bolts 54 are threaded into the hub 52 and adjusted to fit the space into which the tension bar assembly 50 is to be placed (i.e. bore 56 and channels 58). The tension bar assembly 50 is then inserted into place and the bolts 54 are further adjusted to clamp each respective beam 14 to the post 12.

A brace 16 may be used to reinforce the connection between one or more of the beams 14 and the post 12. The brace 16 may have a tenon 70 at one end which is configured to engage corresponding mortise 72 in beam 12. The mortise 72 is laterally offset, being closer to the front 74 of the beam 12 than the back (not shown) . The tenon 70 may be pinned in the mortise 72 using pins 76. The remaining end 78 of the brace 16 may be bolted to the beam 14 with a bolt 80 which extends through the beam 14 and treadably engages pin 82 in blind bore 84.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A kit of components for constructing a building, comprising at least one elongate beam part and at least one elongate post part, the parts having interengaging end profiles for connecting one part at an angle (e.g. at right angles) to the other, wherein the interengaging end profiles are configured to slidingly engage in a first direction and resist separation in a second direction when engaged.

2. A kit of components according to claim 1, in which the interengaging end profiles comprise a mortise on one part and a tenon on the other part .

3. A kit of components according to claim 2, in which the tenon is flared.

4. A kit of components according to claim 2 or 3 , in which the mortise is a slot mortise comprising a blind channel extending from a free surface of the part in which it is formed.

5. A kit of components accordingly to claim 4, in which the blind channel tapers along its length, being widest adjacent the free surface from which it extends.

6. A kit of components according to any one of the preceding claims in which the at least one elongate post part has an interengaging end profile for connecting with that of the at least one elongate beam in at least two different positions, one position being angularly offset around the longitudinal beam axis relative to the other.

7. A kit of components according to claim 6, in which the one position is angularly offset by 90° relative to the other.

8. A kit of components according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a brace for bracing

5 the two parts when the interengaging profiles are connected together.

9. A kit of components according to claim 8, in which at least one of the parts includes a recess for receiving one end of the brace when bracing the two parts .

10 10. A kit of components according to claim 9, in which the recess is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the at least one part in which it is formed.

11. A kit of components according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tension bar assembly

15 for urging one part toward the other when engaged.

12. A kit of components according to claim 11, in which the tension bar assembly comprises a hub and a bolt for threadably engaging the hub, the hub in use being coupled to one part and the bolt to the other.

20 13. A kit of components according to claim 12, in which the hub is configured to receive the bolt in one of at least two different positions, one position being angularly offset relative to the other.

14. A timber-framed building comprising a superstructure

25 formed from a kit of components according to any one of claims 1 to 13.