Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
  • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
  • E04B2/14—Walls having cavities in, but not between, the elements, i.e. each cavity being enclosed by at least four sides forming part of one single element
  • E04B2/16—Walls having cavities in, but not between, the elements, i.e. each cavity being enclosed by at least four sides forming part of one single element using elements having specially-designed means for stabilising the position
  • E04B2/18—Walls having cavities in, but not between, the elements, i.e. each cavity being enclosed by at least four sides forming part of one single element using elements having specially-designed means for stabilising the position by interlocking of projections or inserts with indentations, e.g. of tongues, grooves, dovetails
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
  • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
  • E04B2/14—Walls having cavities in, but not between, the elements, i.e. each cavity being enclosed by at least four sides forming part of one single element
  • E04B2/16—Walls having cavities in, but not between, the elements, i.e. each cavity being enclosed by at least four sides forming part of one single element using elements having specially-designed means for stabilising the position
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
  • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
  • E04B2002/0202—Details of connections
  • E04B2002/0243—Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins or keys
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
  • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
  • E04B2002/0202—Details of connections
  • E04B2002/0243—Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins or keys
  • E04B2002/0254—Tie rods

Definitions

• the invention relates to a building unit comprising a body member having two coupling ends at the position of which the building unit is couplable to a similar building unit in a direction of coupling for the purpose of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units.
• the invention in the second place, relates to a method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, wherein at least two building units as defined in the opening paragraph are provided, wherein one building unit is put in a coupling position relative to another building unit in the direction of coupling, and wherein the one building unit is coupled to the other building unit in the direction of coupling.
• the invention relates to a building module that is configured to be used as a part of a building construction, and that comprises at least one building unit as defined in the opening paragraph.
• the invention relates to a method for building a building construction, wherein a number of building modules as defined in the opening paragraph are provided, are put to a coupling position with respect to each other, and are coupled to each other through their building units by performing the method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units as defined in the preceding paragraphs.
• the invention is in the field of modular construction.
• Modular construction methods involve manufacturing a plurality of building modules at another place than an actual building site, then delivering the building modules to the site and putting the building modules in a mutual positioning as desired at the site.
• the building modules are placed side-by-side, end-to-end, or stacked, whatever the case may be.
• the building modules are joined together using inter-connections configured to couple the building modules to each other.
• US 6122880 relates to a building module that is built from panels in perpendicular arrangement with respect to each other, which are partly interlocking when being stacked on other building modules, through combinations of stubs and depressions or plug-in sections and plug-in grooves.
• DE 10033481 relates to massive building blocks which are provided with stepped interlocking side walls and narrow round vertical channels.
• the building blocks are provided with projections and grooves. It is an objective of the invention to provide a building unit that is configured to be used in a process of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of similar building units. Such an entirety may serve as a support for other building parts, for example.
• the building unit may be couplable to at least one building part of another type, or for the building unit to be integrated in a larger building module.
• the invention provides a building unit comprising a body member having two coupling ends at the position of which the building unit is couplable to a similar building unit in a direction of coupling for the purpose of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, and a coupling fixation member configured to fix a coupling between the building unit and a similar building unit at the position of one coupling end of the building unit, wherein the coupling fixation member extends through the body member, wherein at each of the coupling ends of the body member, an opening is defined in the body member for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through, and wherein the respective openings are offset with respect to each other as seen in the direction of coupling.
• the building unit according to the invention comprises a coupling fixation member, i.e. a member for fixing/securing a coupling between the building unit and a similar building unit at the position of one coupling end of the building unit.
• the building unit is especially suitable for use in situations in which it is not sufficient to couple building units to each other on the basis of a combination of some kind of projection and depression only. The fact is that a coupling relying on such a combination can be broken when a force aimed at pulling building units apart is exerted in the direction of coupling.
• the coupling fixation member functions to prevent such a decoupling effect.
• the coupling fixation member extends through the body member, wherein at each of the coupling ends of the body member, an opening is defined in the body member for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through, and wherein the respective openings are offset with respect to each other as seen in the direction of coupling.
• the coupling fixation member of the one building unit is not in a position of hindering engagement of the coupling fixation member of the following building unit on the one building unit due to the specific positioning of the coupling fixation member between the coupling ends of the building units in the direction of coupling, as defined by the openings in the respective coupling ends.
• a general orientation of the building unit according to the direction of coupling such that a longitudinal direction of the body member is similar to the direction of coupling, this may imply that the coupling fixation member has an inclined orientation in the body member.
• the coupling fixation member is movable with respect to the body member.
• the coupling fixation member may be designed to fix a coupling between building units on the basis of a screw connection, to which end the coupling fixation member may comprise something like a threaded rod. In such a case, it takes a rotation movement combined with a linear movement of the coupling fixation member to establish the coupling fixation effect.
• the building unit comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupling fixation member to a default position in the body member. Knowing that the coupling fixation member is normally in the default position and not in a functional position, a person may visually inspect whether or not all couplings between adjacent building units in an entirety composed of a plurality of building units are properly fixed, namely by checking the position of the coupling fixation member in the body member of the respective building units.
• the coupling fixation member extends through an internal space of the body member
• the body member comprises an inspection opening allowing a view on the coupling fixation member from outside of the body member, wherein it may further be advantageous if the coupling fixation member is provided with at least one visible marking at a position between the coupling ends of the body member.
• the building unit comprises a biasing mechanism
• the biasing mechanism may comprise a resilient member configured to act on the coupling fixation member and/or to comprise a stop configuration to define the default position of the coupling fixation member in the body member.
• the coupling fixation member comprises a rod, wherein the stop configuration comprises a thickened portion of the rod, which is arranged to abut against an internal surface of the body member under the influence of the biasing mechanism acting on the coupling fixation member.
• the coupling fixation member comprises a threaded rod
• the stop configuration comprises a nut screwed on the threaded rod, which is arranged to abut against an internal surface of the body member under the influence of the biasing mechanism acting on the coupling fixation member.
• the coupling fixation member comprises a bolt. In such a case, manipulating the coupling fixation member for the purpose of fixing a coupling between building units is done by engaging on the bolt head by means of suitable tool and rotating the bolt about its longitudinal axis, so that a screw connection may be established between the building units.
• the body member comprises an insertion piece including a section of a passage that is defined in the body member for guiding the coupling fixation member through the body member.
• the body member is manufactured from a material that is not very well capable of withstanding local forces such as plastic, wherein the insertion piece may be manufactured from a material of considerably higher constructional strength such as steel, and may be shaped like a block or the like.
• the coupling between adjacent building units may be established in any appropriate manner.
• the building unit according to the invention may be designed such that at one of the coupling ends of the body member, the body member has a recess, wherein at the other of the coupling ends of the body member, the body member has a projecting portion.
• coupling building units to each other requires no more than inserting the projecting portion of one of the building units in the recess of the other of the building units, after which the coupling can be fixed through the fixation member. It may be practical if the projecting portion has a tapered shape.
• the building unit according to the invention may also be couplable to at least one building part of another type.
• the building unit may be equipped with at least one engaging member arranged at the body member and defining an engaging position on the building unit.
• the engaging member may comprise a projection of any suitable type on the body member, or a recess in the body member, for example.
• the building unit comprises a coupling area arranged at one of the coupling ends of the body member at a position adjacent to the opening for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through at the respective coupling end.
• fixation of the coupling between the building units is obtained by manipulating the coupling fixation member of one of the building units such as to engage on the coupling area of the other of the building units.
• the coupling area as mentioned includes a space in the body member, which is accessible from outside of the building unit, and further includes a coupling piece of which at least a portion is accommodated inside the space.
• the coupling piece may comprise an internally threaded cylinder or a nut, for example, which is applicable when the coupling fixation member is provided with external thread. If the building unit is designed such that in the direction of coupling, a position of the coupling area is aligned with a position of the opening for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through at the other coupling end of the body member, it is achieved that when similar building units are coupled to each other and the coupling between the building units is fixed on the basis of engagement of the coupling fixation member of one building unit on the coupling area of another building unit, the coupling area of the other building unit is at the right position for interacting with the coupling fixation member.
• the coupling fixation member has a head portion for allowing a user to manipulate the coupling fixation member, it is appropriate if the coupling area is arranged at the respective one of the coupling ends of the body member.
• the invention covers an entirety composed of a plurality of such building units, wherein the coupling fixation member of each of the building units engages on the body member of an adjacent building unit.
• the coupling fixation member of each of the building units is allowed to engage on the body member of the adjacent building unit at the position of the coupling area of the adjacent building unit.
• the building unit according to the invention may be integrated in a larger building module.
• the invention also relates to a building module that is configured to be used as a part of a building construction, and that comprises at least one building unit as defined and described in the foregoing.
• the building module comprises a number of panels.
• the at least one building unit is fixed to at least one of the panels or integrated in at least one of the panels.
• the building module comprises a massive block-shaped element and at least one building unit extending through the block-shaped element.
• the number of building units integrated in the building module may be chosen freely in the framework of the invention. In that respect, it is noted that the building module may comprise at least two building units which are spaced apart.
• the building module may be intended for use in a modular building system for erecting walls for the purpose of buildings or other kinds of building structures, for example.
• the building module comprises a number of panels
• those panels are mutually connected in such a way that they jointly constitute a panel structure that is structured such as to be capable of absorbing a load in a practical embodiment of the building module.
• This panel structure has interior spaces which may serve as segments of vertical channels in a wall and/or may be filled with heat-insulating material.
• the building module may be of such a design that one or more channels are present in the block-shaped element.
• Vertical channels in a wall offer space to cabling for various installations or may enable transport of ventilation air and/or hot air through a wall.
• the building modules are mutually interlocking and are particularly couplable to each other by means of their building units.
• the panel structure comprises exterior panels of which a main body surface constitutes an exterior surface of the building module, and is also provided with a number of interior panels of which a main body surface extends in the interior of the panel structure.
• the panel structure may comprise two exterior panels which are spaced apart and which extend parallel with respect to each other, wherein at least a number of interior panels extend perpendicularly with respect to the exterior panels.
• the building module is designed such that exterior panels of building modules which are coupled to each other extend in alignment to each other and abut against each other.
• the building modules may be provided with recesses/rabbets into which an edge portion of panels of adjacent building modules can be slid.
• the panel structure of the building module comprises exterior panels and interior panels, as has been described earlier, it may be so that at a side of the building module, the exterior panels extend to a higher level than the interior panels, and that at an opposite side of the building module, the interior panels extend to a higher level than the exterior panels so that the building module is suitable to receive a part of the interior panels of an adjacent building module between the projecting part of the exterior panels.
• the building module comprising a panel structure may comprise at least one filler body that extends at least partially in an interior space of the panel structure.
• a filler body may have heat-insulating properties.
• such a filler body may be provided in the building modules prior to assembling the building modules.
• the building module may comprise two filler bodies which are located in an open interior space of the panel structure and which are freely accessible from outside of the building module, wherein each of the filler bodies has a stepped surface for abutment against a complementary stepped surface of a freely accessible filler body of a similar building module.
• the building modules may abut against each other through stepped surfaces.
• the surfaces can be easily adapted to sideward mutual abutment of the building modules by providing filler bodies having differently shaped surfaces.
• the panel structure of the building module may be shaped in a relatively simple fashion, having only panels which extend parallel and perpendicularly with respect to each other. In many possible applications of the building module, it is desirable that all panels are oriented as uprights in the building module and none of the panels is transversely oriented in respect thereof as girder, because in that way spaces which are accessible along their full length can be realized along the uprights.
• the panels may be connected to each other without use of connection elements. In a practical embodiment of the building module, the panels may be connected to each other on the basis of tongue and groove connections.
• the invention covers a building construction comprising a plurality of such building modules which are mutually coupled through their building units.
• the invention further relates to a method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, wherein at least two building units as defined and described in the foregoing are provided, wherein one building unit is put in a coupling position relative to another building unit in the direction of coupling, and wherein the one building unit is coupled to the other building unit in the direction of coupling by putting the coupling fixation member of the one building unit to engagement with the body member of the other building unit.
• the building units comprise a coupling area
• the invention further relates to a method for building a building construction, wherein a number of building modules as defined and described in the foregoing are provided, are put to a coupling position with respect to each other, and are coupled to each other through their building units by performing the method for assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units as defined and described in the preceding paragraph.
• the building modules can be placed in a stretching bond.
• the invention in another aspect, relates to a building unit comprising a body member having two coupling ends at the position of which the building unit is couplable to a similar building unit in a direction of coupling for the purpose of assembling an entirety composed of a plurality of building units, and a coupling fixation member configured to fix a coupling between the building unit and a similar building unit at the position of one coupling end of the building unit, wherein the coupling fixation member extends through the body member, wherein at each of the coupling ends of the body member, an opening is defined in the body member for allowing the coupling fixation member to pass through, wherein the coupling fixation member is movable with respect to the body member, and wherein the building unit further comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupling fixation member to a default position in the body member.
• biasing the coupling fixation member involves the advantageous possibility of allowing for a visual inspection of the position of the coupling fixation member, on the basis of which it can be checked whether or not all couplings between adjacent building units in an entirety composed of a plurality of building units are properly secured.
• the various options as defined and described in the foregoing with respect to the nature of the biasing mechanism are equally applicable.
• the invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the following description of a number of embodiments of a building unit and a building module incorporating a number of building units, which building module can be used for the purpose of building a building construction such as a planar wall, wherein reference will be made to the drawing, in which similar reference numerals indicate similar or comparable components, and in which:
• Figures 1 and 2 diagrammatically show a perspective view of a building unit according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein figure 2 shows the building unit in a transparent representation
• Figures 3 and 4 diagrammatically show a perspective view of the building unit, with an insertion piece removed, wherein figure 4 shows the building unit in a transparent representation
• Figures 5 and 6 diagrammatically show an entirety composed of two building units, wherein figure 6 shows the building units in a transparent representation
• Figure 7 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building unit according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a transparent representation
• Figure 8 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building module according to an embodiment of the invention, including four building units, in a transparent representation
• Figures 9 and 10 diagrammatically show two different perspective views of the building module
• Figure 11 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of three building modules coupled to each other in a stretching bond
• Figure 12 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of three building modules according to an alternative embodiment of the invention coupled to each other in a stretching bond
• Figure 13 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building unit according to a third embodiment of the invention, in a transparent representation
• Figure 14 diagrammatically shows a number of components of the building unit, in an assembled condition
• Figure 15 diagrammatically shows an entirety composed of two building units, in a transparent representation
• FIGS 16 and 17 diagrammatically show perspective views of a building module according to another embodiment of the invention, including four building units,
• Figure 18 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a building module according to yet another embodiment of the invention, in a transparent representation
• Figure 19 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of three building modules coupled to each other in a stretching bond
• Figures 20 and 21 diagrammatically show perspective views of a building module according to a further embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 22 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a back panel of the building module, and two building units integrated in the back panel,
• Figure 23 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a connector of an integrated building unit, as arranged in the back panel,
• Figure 24 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of two front panels and the building units integrated in the front panels, the front panels being coupled to each other in a stretching bond,
• Figure 25 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of just the back panel
• Figures 26 and 27 diagrammatically show perspective views of the connector.
• Figures 1-6 relate to a practical example of a building unit 1 according to the invention.
• the building unit 1 is intended to be used as a part of an entirety 2 of similar building units.
• figures 5 and 6 show an entirety 2 composed of two building units 1, in which the two building units 1 are coupled to each other in a way as will be elucidated in the following.
• the entirety 2 composed of two or more building units 1 is suitable to be used as a horizontal or vertical supporting beam in a building construction 5, for example.
• Other feasible applications of such an entirety 2 include applications in furniture.
• the building unit 1 comprises a body member 10 that is of a generally elongated shape.
• the body member has two coupling ends 11, 12 at the position of which the building unit 1 is couplable to a similar building unit 1 in a direction of coupling that is indicated by means of a double-headed arrow c in figures 1-6.
• the direction of coupling corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the body member 10.
• the body member 10 has a recess 13
• the body member 10 has a projection 14.
• the projection is tapered 14 so that the projection 14 can easily be received in the recess 13 of another building unit 1 in case such other building unit 1 is to be coupled to the building unit 1 at the side where the projection 14 is present.
• the coupling end 11 where the recess 13 is present will be referred to as recess coupling end 11, and the coupling end 12 where the projection 14 is present will be referred to as projection coupling end 12.
• the entirety 2 that is constituted in that way is capable of withstanding forces without the building units 1 decoupling, especially forces perpendicular to the direction of coupling c.
• decoupling of the building units 1 is not totally avoided and might still occur if forces are exerted in the direction of coupling c or in a direction close to the direction of coupling c, involving an effect of pulling the building units 1 apart.
• the invention provides a way of fixing the coupling between building units 1, namely by means of a coupling fixation member 20 that is included in every building unit 1.
• the coupling fixation member 20 is arranged so as to extend through the body member 10, from the recess coupling end 11 to the projection coupling end 12, wherein an opening 15 for allowing the coupling fixation member 20 to pass is defined at the recess coupling end 11, and wherein also an opening 16 for allowing the coupling fixation member 20 to pass is defined at the projection coupling end 12.
• the respective openings 15, 16 will be referred to as passage openings 15, 16.
• the coupling fixation member 20 comprises a bolt.
• the body member 10 is provided with a passage 17 for guiding the coupling fixation member 20 through the body member 10, as can be seen in the transparent representations of the building unit 1.
• the respective passage openings 15, 16 are located at different positions as seen in the direction of coupling c, i.e. are offset (not aligned) with respect to each other in the direction as mentioned. Consequently, the passage 17 and the coupling fixation member 20 extending therethrough have an inclined orientation in the body member 10. Further, for the purpose allowing a coupling fixation member 20 of one building unit 1 to engage on the body member 10 of another building unit 1 , the building unit 1 is provided with a coupling area 21 that is arranged at the projection coupling end 12, at a position adjacent to the passage opening 16.
• the coupling area 21 and the passage opening 15 at the recess coupling end 11 are aligned so that when two building units 1 are coupled to each other, the coupling area 21 at the projection coupling end 12 of one of the building units 1 is directly faced by the coupling fixation member 20 from the recess coupling end 11 of another of the building units 1 , at the coupling interface.
• the coupling area 21 provides access to a cylindrical coupling piece 22 that is provided with internal screw thread and that is accommodated inside a space in the body member 10.
• the design of the building unit 1 is adapted to allow assembly of a number of building units 1 to an entirety 2 in an easy manner.
• all that a person handling the building units 1 has to do is to take two building units 1 and couple the building unit 1 to each other in a coupling direction, such that the projection 14 of one of the building units 1, which will hereinafter be referred to as first building unit 1, is received in the recess 13 of another of the building units 1 , which will hereinafter be referred to as second building unit 1.
• the person is supposed to manipulate the coupling fixation member 20 of the second building unit 1 at the position of the projection coupling end 12 of the second building unit 1 by means of a suitable tool such as a screw driver, in order to move the coupling fixation member 20 of the second building unit 1 into engagement with the coupling area 21 of the first building unit 1.
• a suitable tool such as a screw driver
• the engagement between the coupling fixation member 20 of the second building unit 1 and the coupling area 21 of the first building unit 1 is automatically established as the coupling fixation member 20 is made to advance in a direction from the second building unit 1 to the first building unit 1.
• a third building unit 1 can be provided and coupled in a secured fashion to the second building unit 1 in the same manner as has been described in the foregoing in respect of the assembling process of the first building unit 1 and the second building unit 1.
• the process of providing a further building unit 1 and coupling such building unit 1 to an entirety 2 composed of a plurality of building units 1 in a secured fashion can be repeated until a desired length of the entirety 2 has been reached.
• the building unit 1 can be made of any suitable material or combination of materials.
• the body member 10 may be made of plastic, while the coupling fixation member 20 and the coupling piece 22 may be made of steel.
• the body member 10 comprises an insertion piece 18 including a section 17a of the passage 17 that is defined in the body member 10 for guiding the coupling fixation member 20 through the body member 10, and also the coupling piece 22.
• Such an insertion piece 18 may be made of steel or the like, and it may be advantageous to have the insertion piece 18 at least at the side where the coupling fixation member 20 is manipulated, i.e. the side of the projection coupling end 12 in the shown example.
• the building unit 1 may be equipped with one or more engaging members defining engaging positions on the building unit 1.
• the building unit 1 comprises four engaging members 23 in the form of recesses.
• the recesses may be provided with internal screw thread or may be otherwise designed to facilitate engagement on elements suitable to be received in the recesses.
• the building unit 1 comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupling fixation member 20 to a default position in the body member 10.
• a resilient member such as a spring may be arranged in the insertion piece 18 to act on the coupling fixation member 20 so as to bias the coupling fixation member 20 in a direction from the recess coupling end 11 of the body member 10 towards the projection coupling end 12, i.e. in a direction opposite to a direction in which the coupling fixation member 20 is to be moved for engaging on the body member 10 of another building unit 1.
• Biasing the coupling fixation member 20 to a default position which is not the functional position for fixing a coupling between two building units 1 allows for visually inspecting whether or not all couplings between adjacent building units 1 in an entirety 2 composed of a plurality of building units 1 are properly secured.
• the coupling fixation member 20 is provided with some kind of marking at a suitable position, and that such a marking may automatically be present on the coupling fixation member 20 if a stop member is present on the coupling fixation member, for example.
• the stop member has two functions, namely a function of defining the default position of the coupling fixation member 20 in the body member 10 by delimiting the movement of the coupling fixation member 20 in the direction of the projection coupling end 12 of the body member 10 under the influence of the biasing mechanism, and a function of constituting a visible marking on the coupling fixation member 20. If the stop member abuts against an internal surface of the body member 10, it is to be concluded that the coupling fixation member 20 is in the default position, whereas if the stop member is at a distance of the internal surface of the body member 10, it is to be concluded that the coupling fixation member 20 is in the functional position.
• FIG. 7 serves to illustrate a building unit 3 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which will hereinafter be referred to as twofold building unit 3.
• this building unit 3 is an integral combination of two building units 1 as described in the foregoing with reference to figures 1-6, in which the building units 1 extend at some distance with respect to each other while being oriented in a similar manner.
• the twofold building unit 3 has two recesses 13 at one side thereof, and two projections 14 at an opposite side thereof.
• the one building unit 1 is rotated a half turn with respect to the other building unit 1, so that the inclined orientation of the passage 17 and the coupling fixation member 20 extending therethrough of the one building unit 1 is under a first angle with respect to the direction of coupling c of the building unit and the inclined orientation of the passage 17 and the coupling fixation member 20 extending therethrough of the other building unit 1 is under a second angle with respect to the direction of coupling c of the building unit 1 , wherein the second angle is of the same size of the first angle, and wherein if one of the angles is denoted as positive with respect to the direction of coupling c, the other of the angles is denoted as negative with respect to the direction of coupling c.
• FIGS 8-10 show a practical example of a building module 4 according to the invention, wherein the building module 4 comprises four building units 1 for coupling the building module 4 in a secured fashion to other building modules 4, as illustrated in figure 11.
• the building module 4 as shown comprises two exterior panels 41, 42 which will hereinafter be referred to as front panel 41 and back panel 42, respectively.
• the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 extend parallel with respect to each other, and are generally realized as a planar plate of rectangular shape.
• Freely accessible main body surfaces of the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 constitute exterior surfaces of the building module 4, and, in a building construction 5 including a number of building modules 4, are part of composed exterior surfaces of the construction 5, as can be seen in figure 11.
• the shown building module 4 further comprises two pairs of connecting panels 43 which are positioned between the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 at a distance from each other.
• the connecting panels 43 are generally realized as planar plates and extend perpendicularly to the front panel 41 and the back panel 42.
• a panel structure 40 having interior spaces is realized in the building module 4.
• the way in which connections between the panels 41 , 42, 43 are realized can be chosen freely.
• the panel structure 40 is shaped as one integral entirety, for example, by means of pressing, blanking or extruding.
• the panel structure 40 may be made of any possible suitable material or any possible suitable combination of materials.
• FIG. 8-11 it can be seen that in the shown example, the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 have a staggered positioning with respect to the connecting panels 43, as a result of which the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 project with respect to the connecting panels 43 at one side of the building module 4, and as a result of which, at an opposite side of the building module 4, the connecting panels 43 project with respect to the front panel 41 and the back panel 42.
• the building module 4 is provided with the four building units 1 as mentioned, which are to be coupled to building units 1 of other building modules 4.
• the building modules 4 are coupled to each other in a secured fashion.
• both the front panel 41 and the back panel 42 can remain intact and especially do no need to be provided with an opening or the like, which offers the advantage that the building construction 5 does not necessarily need to be provided with a finishing layer in order to have a smooth appearance.
• the building modules 4 are provided with filler bodies of heat-insulating material.
• Such filler bodies may be located in one or more of the interior spaces of the panel structure 40.
• the building module 4 comprises such filler bodies 44 at five different places, namely in a space between the connecting panels 43 of the two pairs of connecting panels 43, in a central space of the building module 4 between the two pairs of connecting panels 43, and in a space at the other side of the two pairs of connecting panels 43.
• two filler bodies 44 are present, which filler bodies 44 are arranged so as to extend at a distance with respect to each other so that not all of the space is occupied by the filler bodies 44.
• the filler bodies 44 which are located at the other side of the two pairs of connecting panels 43 than the central space of the building module 4 are realized in a stepped fashion in order to enable abutment of the building module 4 against an adjacent building module 4 at those sides in a defined manner, wherein the stepped surface 45 of the filler body 44 of the one building module 4 is fittingly placed against the stepped surface 45 of the filler body 44 of the other building module 4.
• Cabling or the like may easily be put in place through interior open spaces of the building modules 4, 6, wherein it is noted that the interior spaces of building modules 4, 6 which are coupled and secured to each other are arranged to extend in alignment to each other and constitute continuous channels in a building construction 5 on the basis thereof. There is no need for additional attachment means for the purpose of realizing the required secured couplings between building modules 4, 6. The safety is guaranteed to a significant extent as a possibility to inspect whether or not the coupling is secured is provided when the coupling fixation member 20 of the respective building units 1 of the building modules 4 is provided with an appropriate marking and/or has a clearly recognizable portion.
• a building construction 5 or a portion thereof can be pulled down again if so desired, wherein couplings between the building units 1 of mutually coupled building modules 4, 6 can be made undone in such a case, so that the building modules 4, 6 can easily be removed from each other and can be destined for another application if so desired.
• FIG 13 serves to illustrate a building unit 7 according to a third embodiment of the invention, which will hereinafter be referred to as panel building unit 7.
• panel building unit 7 When the panel building unit 7 is compared to the building unit 1 shown in figures 1-6, it is found that the panel building unit 7 has a panel-shaped body member 10.
• the panel building unit 7 can easily be incorporated in a building module 8, as illustrated in figures 16 and 17.
• the panel structure 40 of the building module 8 can be composed of a front panel 41, a back panel 42 and a number of building units 7 arranged between the front panel 41 and the back panel 42, wherein there is no need for another type of panel.
• the building unit 7 is provided with a pair of projecting pins 14 at one side thereof and a pair of corresponding recesses 13 at another side thereof.
• Figure 14 shows an assembly of components of the building unit 7, including a coupling fixation member 20, a stop member 24 on the coupling fixation member 20, and a spring 25 arranged between a head portion 26 of the coupling fixation member 20 and the stop member 24.
• the stop member 24 may be provided as an integral part of the coupling fixation member 20, but this is not essential in the framework of the invention.
• the head portion 26 of the coupling fixation member 20 is located at the position of the recess coupling end 11 of the body member 10, and the spring 25 extends between the head portion 26 and a first supporting area 31 in the body member 10, which supporting area may be realized by having a step in the passage 17.
• the spring 25 acts to maintain a position of the coupling fixation member 20 in the body member 10 in which the stop member 24 is at the position of a second supporting area 32.
• the spring 25 is kept in a compressed condition and the stop member 24 is at a position that is at a distance from the second supporting area 32. It can easily be inspected from the side of the recess coupling end 11 if the coupling fixation member 20 is in engagement to another building unit 7, because if that is the case, the head portion 26 of the coupling fixation member 20 is at a deeper level inside the passage 17 than if that is not the case.
• figure 15 shows an entirety 2 composed of two building units 7, wherein the coupling fixation member 20 of a building unit 7 shown at a higher position in figure 15 is in the position of being in engagement to another building unit 7, namely a building unit 7 shown at a lower position in figure 15, and wherein the coupling fixation member 20 of the latter building unit 7 is in a default position.
• Figure 18 illustrates an option of having a building module 9 that comprises a massive block-like element 91 and at least one building unit 1 extending through the block like element 91.
• the number of building units 1 can be chosen freely and in relation to size and shape of the building module 9.
• the building module 9 comprises two pairs of building units 1 extending through the block-shaped element 91 at a distance from each other, wherein a channel 92 is present between the building units 1 of each of the pairs.
• the building module 9 may be provided with one or more channels, or without any channels.
• the block-shaped element 91 may be of any appropriate design and may comprise any suitable material, such as aerated concrete.
• Figure 19 shows three of the building modules 9, in a configuration of being coupled to each other in a stretching bond.
• Figures 20 and 21 show a building module 100 of sandwiched structure, comprising two exterior panels 101, 102 which will hereinafter be referred to as front panel 101 and back panel 102, respectively, and a filling structure 103 positioned between the two panels 101, 102.
• the filling structure 103 may comprise at least one piece of the insulating material Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) for example and/or at least one piece of another type of material, wherein it is preferred that the filling structure 103 further is provided with at least one channel 104, which may serve to allow an air flow and/or items such as electric wiring, gas pipes, water pipes, data cables etc. to pass when the building module 100 is integrated in a building structure 5.
• EPS Expanded Polystyrene
• each of the front panel 101 and the back panel 102 two building units 110 are integrated. It is also possible that just one building unit 110 is integrated in the panels 101, 102, or that more than two building units 110 are integrated in the panels 101, 102.
• the body member 10 is constituted by a portion of the respective panel 101, 102 including a passage 17 through which the coupling fixation member 20 of the building unit 110 extends.
• the integrated building unit 110 comprises a connector 111 that is partially inserted in the respective panel 101, 102, with an edge portion of the connector 111 projecting from the respective panel 101, 102.
• Figure 23 provides a closer look on the connector 111, as arranged in a panel 101, 102.
• the connector 111 has a connector body 112 in which the passage opening 16 and the coupling area 21 adjacent to the passage opening 16 are provided.
• a nut 27 is located for receiving and engaging on a threaded end of the coupling fixation member 20 of another integrated building unit 110 when such other integrated building unit 110 is in a coupling position relative to the integrated building unit 110 under consideration, as can be seen in figure 24.
• the connector body 112 is provided with a T-shaped slot 113 which allows for putting the nut 27 to place during assembly and retaining the nut 27 in the direction of coupling c.
• the coupling area 21 and the passage opening 15 at the recess coupling end 11 are aligned so that when two integrated building units 110 are coupled to each other, the coupling area 21 at the projection coupling end 12 of one of the integrated building units 110 is directly faced by the coupling fixation member 20 from the recess coupling end 11 of another of the integrated building units 110, at the coupling interface.
• Figure 25 shows the interior surface of the back panel 102 and serves to illustrate the recessed structure in the back panel 102 per building unit 110, constituting a recess 114 for accommodating the major portion of the connector 111 , the passage 17 for accommodating the major portion of the coupling fixation member 20, and the recess 13 at the recess coupling end 11, which is suitable for receiving and accommodating the projecting portion of the connector 111 of the building unit 110 of another building module 100.
• Figures 26 and 27 show different views of the connector 111.
• the connector body 112 has two bulged portions 115 at opposite sides, by means of which fixation of the connector 111 in the respective panel 101, 102 in the direction of coupling c is facilitated on the basis of form closure. Providing the bulged portions 115 with different contours and/or size is a practical way of ensuring that the connector 111 can only be put in the correct position as intended in the respective panel 101, 102 during assembly of the building module 100.
• the invention relates to the connector 111 as such, i.e. the connector 111 that is insertable in a panel 101, 102 of the building module 100 and that comprises the connector body 112 in which the passage opening 16 and the coupling area 21 adjacent to the passage opening 16 are provided, wherein the connector body 112 is provided with an internal channel 116 leading up to the passage opening 16 and serving to guide a short length of the coupling fixation member 20 through the connector body 112.
• the connector body 112 is provided with a T-shaped slot 113 configured to enable positioning of a coupling piece in the form of a nut 27 or otherwise in the coupling area 21.
• the connector body 112 has two bulged portions 115 at opposite sides, wherein it is advantageous if the bulged portions 115 are provided with different contours and/or size.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Finishing Walls (AREA)

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Citations (8)

• 2020
  • 2020-01-23 NL NL2024738A patent/NL2024738B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2021
  • 2021-01-22 WO PCT/NL2021/050042 patent/WO2021150115A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (8)

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