U.S. patent application number 10/533243 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-11 for modular construction system.
Invention is credited to Willem Herman Kraaijkamp.
Application Number | 20060096184 10/533243 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32227853 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060096184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kraaijkamp; Willem Herman |
May 11, 2006 |
Modular construction system
Abstract
A modular construction, in particular a pond construction or
other garden construction, wherein the construction is supported in
the subsoil, comprising at least two tubes (2), of which first,
substantially hollow ends project into the subsoil, and wherein
screw thread-shaped flanges (3) are provided on the tubes (2),
which support the tubes in the subsoil. The construction further
comprises at least two coupling pieces (5) which are, at least
during construction, each axially freely pivotably supported on
second ends of the respective tubes (2), and a girder (7) which is
attached-the coupling pieces (5).
Inventors: |
Kraaijkamp; Willem Herman;
(PL Laren, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY CARY US LLP
P. O. BOX 64807
CHICAGO
IL
60664-0807
US
|
Family ID: |
32227853 |
Appl. No.: |
10/533243 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
October 30, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL03/00744 |
371 Date: |
October 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/157 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 12/2223
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/157 |
International
Class: |
E02D 5/74 20060101
E02D005/74 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2002 |
NL |
1021783 |
Claims
1. A modular construction, in particular a pond construction or
other garden construction, wherein the construction is supported in
the subsoil, comprising at least two tubes, of which first,
substantially hollow ends project into the subsoil, and wherein
screw thread-shaped flanges are provided on the tubes, which
support the tubes in the subsoil, at least two coupling pieces
which are each axially freely pivotably supported on a second end
of the respective tubes, and a girder attached the coupling
pieces.
2. A modular construction according to claim 1, further comprising
a foil and a clamping section, by means of which the foil is
clamped on the girder.
3. A modular construction according to claim 1 wherein the
construction is a pier construction.
4. A modular construction according to claim 1, wherein the
construction is a pergola construction.
5. A modular construction system comprising at least two tubes,
each having a first, substantially hollow end, wherein screw
thread-shaped flanges are provided on the tubes, at least two
coupling pieces which fit on second ends of the tubes, for being
axially freely pivotably supported on the second ends during
construction, and a girder for attaching to the coupling
pieces.
6. A modular construction system according to claim 5, wherein the
tubes, the coupling pieces and the girder are substantially
comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of steel
and plastic.
7. A modular construction system according to claim 5, wherein, the
tubes are provided with an engaging element near the heads for
cooperation with a driving element for exerting a turning moment on
the tubes.
8. A modular construction system according to claim 5 wherein
cutting sections have been formed on the substantially hollow ends
of the tubes.
9. A modular construction system according to claim 5 wherein the
construction system is provided with a clamping section for
clamping a foil between the girder and the clamping section.
10. A modular construction system according to claim 9, wherein the
girder is provided with a flange for supporting a pond edge.
11. A modular construction system according to claim 10, wherein
the flange is bent obliquely upwards with respect to the ground
level, so that it allows the ground level to continue to above the
water level of a pond.
12. A modular construction system according to according to claim 5
wherein the tubes are provided with attachment means for attaching
sheet elements and/or retaining walls.
13. A modular construction system according to claim 5 wherein the
girder is formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of a
plate or tube.
14. A method for building up a modular construction, in particular
pond constructions or other garden constructions, comprising the
steps of rotating at least two tubes into the subsoil, wherein each
of said tubes is provided with a substantially hollow end on the
side rotated into the subsoil, and wherein screw thread-shaped
flanges have been provided on the tubes for supporting in the
subsoil, setting the height of the tubes by axially pivoting them,
sliding coupling pieces on second ends provided on each of the
tubes, wherein, during construction, the coupling pieces are
axially freely pivotably supported on the second ends, setting the
axial orientation of the coupling pieces by pivoting them relative
to the respective tubes, and attaching a girder to the coupling
pieces.
15. A method for building up a modular construction according to
claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of locking
the coupling pieces in an axial direction with respect to the tubes
after setting the height of the tubes and setting the axial
orientation of the coupling pieces.
16. A method for building a pond construction according to the
method of claim 14 comprising the further steps of digging a pond
basin, laying a foil in the pond basin, and attaching the foil to
the girder.
17. A modular construction system according to claim 9 wherein the
clamping section is provided with a flange for supporting a pond
edge.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a modular construction, in
particular a pond construction or other garden construction, the
construction being supported in the subsoil.
[0002] For cultivating gardens, ponds are built and decorative
constructions, such as pergolas and other garden furniture, are
placed. The building up of such constructions is usually done by
one or a few persons using relatively light material and simple
tools.
[0003] For instance, pond constructions are known in which wooden
piles are partly driven into the subsoil, and to which a sheet wall
or board is fitted for forming a pond edge. Because the wooden
piles stick in the subsoil and are supported on it, they support
the sheet wall. Here, the wall is attached to the piles such that
the upper edge of the wall, which is optionally designed as a
girder, is approximately level. However, the wooden piles have the
disadvantage that, after a limited number of years, they become
subject to a rotting process. Subsidences of, for instance,
pavements near the pond edge are the undesired result of this. In
addition, it is difficult to change the slope of a girder supported
on wooden piles when the wooden piles have already been inserted
into the subsoil. This is because, due to the adhesive power of the
soil, piles are difficult to pull upwards. In addition, by
repositioning the pile, its stability is reduced. In order to still
bring about an orientation of the girder which does not correspond
with the height of the piles on which the girder is supported, one
has to resort to complex auxiliary constructions.
[0004] Also, pond constructions are known in which the edge is
formed by a construction with stone and concrete elements, such as
for instance in patent publication JP 1998000259194. In pond
constructions which incorporate stone and concrete elements, these
elements form a construction basis and at least a part of the pond
edge. Although the orientation of the girder can be set, it cannot
be easily adjusted during construction. In concrete constructions,
the concrete is poured into a formwork which cannot be adjusted
afterwards without affecting the quality of the concrete. In the
case of stone constructions, the orientation of the longitudinal
axis of a girder can no longer be easily adjusted during
construction because, then, the foundation has already been
provided and the dimensions of the stones are difficult to change.
In addition, building such constructions usually requires the
necessary manpower. Due to the costs involved, this last is not
attractive for furnishing a garden.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a light, modular
construction in which the orientation of a longitudinal axis of a
girder with respect to the ground level is easy to adjust during
construction. For this purpose, the modular construction is
characterized in that it comprises at least two tubes, of which
first, substantially hollow ends project into the subsoil, and
where screw thread-shaped flanges are provided on the tubes, by
which the tubes are supported in the subsoil, further at least two
coupling pieces which are, at least during construction, each
axially freely pivotably supported on second ends of the respective
tubes, and a girder attached to the coupling pieces.
[0006] By designing the supporting elements as tubes provided with
a substantially hollow end, adjusting the height setting without
substantially reducing the stability and bearing capacity is easier
than with solid piles. This height setting determines the
orientation of a longitudinal axis of the girder in that it is
supported on the heads of the tubes via the coupling pieces. In
addition, the hollow end of the tubes has the advantage that,
compared to a solid pile, less force is required for the
constructor to insert the tube into the ground.
[0007] By providing the tubes with screw thread-shaped flanges, by
which the tubes are supported in the subsoil, in an absolute sense,
the tubes are well settable relative to one another, namely by
pivoting the tubes.
[0008] Because, during construction, the coupling pieces are
axially freely pivotably supported on second ends of the tubes, the
constructor can easily set the axial orientation of the coupling
piece without affecting the height of the tubes. Since the axial
orientation of the coupling piece is independent of the axial
position of the tube, the height of the tube is also settable
without changing the axial position of the coupling piece. This
makes it relatively easy, also during construction, when the girder
is already supported on the tubes, to adjust the vertical position
of the girder.
[0009] Owing to the above-described tubes with a partly hollow
design and axially freely pivotable coupling pieces supporting the
girder, the modular construction offers so much flexibility that
the relatively light system can even be built up by one person.
Here, it is not necessary to set everything definitively at once.
As described, the system provides the very possibility to change
height settings during its construction.
[0010] It is noted that patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,262
discloses a pile construction for constructing relatively large
hydraulic engineering works. The piles are with a closed,
downwardly oriented end driven into the subsoil Further, a coupling
means rests on a layer of sand which is provided on a partition
plate in the pile.
[0011] In an embodiment according to the invention which can
particularly be used in a pond construction, a foil is clamped
between the girder and a clamping section clamping around the
girder. In this manner, the foil that covers a basin of the pond is
secured to the girder.
[0012] In another embodiment according to the invention, the
modular construction is a pier construction in a pond.
[0013] In another embodiment according to the invention, the
modular construction is a pergola construction.
[0014] The invention also relates to a modular construction system
for use in above-described constructions.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the
tubes, the coupling pieces and the girder are substantially from
steel and/or plastic. This yields a construction which is both
light and durable.
[0016] By providing the hollow tubes, near the heads, with an
engaging element for cooperation with a driving element for
exerting a turning moment on the tubes, the pivoting of the tubes
is facilitated when the tubes project into the ground. Especially
when setting the height of the individual tubes, this yields a
considerable advantage over pivoting the tubes by clutching these
by hand. The engaging element is positioned near the head, but
preferably removed from the head such that the engaging element is
still accessible after positioning the coupling pieces, so that the
height of the tubes is still easy to set, also including coupling
piece and optionally the mounted girder.
[0017] Preferably, cutting sections are formed to the substantially
hollow ends of the tubes, so that the tube encounters less
resistance when being inserted into the subsoil.
[0018] The invention further relates to a method for building up a
modular construction, in particular for use with ponds and other
garden constructions, comprising the steps of rotating at least two
ends with a substantially hollow design provided on at least two
respective tubes into the subsoil, while the screw thread-shaped
flanges provided on the outside of the tubes contact the subsoil,
sliding coupling pieces which are axially freely pivotable during
construction on respective heads provided at another end of the
respective tubes, setting the height of the tubes by axially
pivoting them, setting the axial orientation of the respective
coupling pieces by pivoting them relative to the respective tubes,
and attaching a girder to the coupling pieces.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the
invention, the method is used for building a pond construction,
characterized in that, after the steps mentioned, also, the steps
are carried out of digging a pond basin; laying a foil in the pond
basin; and attaching the foil to the girder.
[0020] By using the modular construction system in combination with
a foil which covers the basin of the pond, only the basin needs to
be dug out. In this manner, it is achieved that, in contrast to,
for instance, pond constructions with wooden piles, where the space
for a sheet piling is also dug out, the soil structure around the
pond edge remains intact.
[0021] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are
described in the dependent claims.
[0022] The invention will be further elucidated with reference to
an exemplary embodiment shown in the Figures, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a modular construction
according to the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a hollow
tube according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a coupling
piece according to the invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a different
coupling piece according to the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a modular
construction system according to the invention with a section
girder;
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a perspective side elevational view of a
modular construction system according to the invention with a
girder designed as a flexible tube;
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic side elevational view of a
clamping section according to the invention provided with a flange
edge.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic side elevational view of the
clamping section of FIG. 7, with the flange edge being obliquely
bent with respect to the ground level;
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a modular construction system according to the
invention to which a sheet element is attached;
[0032] FIG. 10 shows a pond with a pier; and
[0033] FIG. 11 shows a modular construction system according to the
invention.
[0034] The Figures are just diagrammatic representations of a
preferred embodiment of the invention. In the Figures, same parts
are designated by the same reference numerals.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a modular construction 1, in which tubes 2 are
supported in the subsoil 4. On the tubes 2, coupling pieces 5 are
supported which, in their turn, support a girder 7.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a hollow tube 2 which is provided with a head 6
at one end and ends in a point 12 at the other end. On the outside
of the hollow tube 2, screw thread-shaped flanges 3 have been
provided. The hollow tube 2 is preferably designed in metal or
plastic. The hollow tube 2 is inserted into the subsoil by exerting
a downward force on the tube 2, which is directed downwards by the
point 12. As soon as the screw thread-shaped flanges 3 have
contacted the subsoil 4, the downward force can be combined with a
forced axial moment, so that the flanges 3 drive the hollow tube 2
into the subsoil 4. Here, the downward force can even be taken away
completely. To facilitate the exertion of the axial moment, near
the head 6, the tube 2 is provided with an engaging element, such
as two oppositely provided openings, or a projection or recess.
Through the openings, a pin can be slid which transmits a moment of
force or a torque to the tube. With projections or recesses, the
moment is exerted using, for instance, an open-end wrench or a
socket head wrench. In a heavier embodiment, the engaging element
is blockingly connectable to an electric drive. In this manner, by
means of the screw thread-shaped flanges 3, a relatively heavy tube
2 can relatively easily be inserted into the subsoil 4 by one
person.
[0037] FIGS. 3 and 4 show two embodiments of an axially freely
pivotable coupling piece 5 comprising a tube 22 and a supporting
section 23 attached on it. The diameter of the tube can be designed
as a circle, but, for instance, also as a square. In FIG. 3, the
supporting section 23 is shaped as a straight section. Other shapes
are also possible. For instance, in FIG. 4, the supporting section
is shaped as a section with an acute angle of approximately
90.degree..
[0038] In a different embodiment, the coupling piece 5 comprises a
tube 22 provided with a supporting means for being supported on the
head of the hollow tube 2, such as a flange on the outside wall or
a closing surface on the inside of the tube 22. At one end, the
tube 22 is provided with recesses, such as slots for supporting a
girder 7, which can be horizontally slid through the recesses of
the tube 22 during assembly.
[0039] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modular construction system 1 in which
a hollow tube 2 has been inserted into the subsoil. Over the head 6
of the hollow tube 2, the tube 22 of a coupling piece 5 has been
slid. Another possibility to mount the coupling piece 5 is, for
instance, sliding the tube 22 into the hollow tube 2. In both
situations, the coupling piece 5 is supported on the head 6 of the
hollow tube 2 for supporting a thin-walled girder 7 attached on the
supporting section 23. This girder 7 can be designed as an open
section (FIG. 5), such as a U or I-section, or as a flexible tube
(FIG. 6). Other possibilities are, for instance, a plate or a
closed section, such as a box girder. The girder can be built up
from girder segments which can be intercoupled by attachment means,
for instance regularly spaced apart holes at the ends of the
girder. Over the girder 7, which is optionally provided with a
rubber protection section at the upper edge, lies a foil 11 which
is clamped on the girder 7 by means of a clamping section 10 to
obtain a durable clamping construction. The foil serves as a pond
floor in the basin 18 of a pond 24. For constructing a pond 24 with
a pond edge 20 of any shape, a plate or a flexible tube is
preferred as a girder 7 because of the possibility to bring it into
the desired shape on site. The flexible tube can be internally
strengthened by a section, such as for instance a vertical strip
clamped in the tube. Owing to the bend of the tube, the strip stays
in vertical position, so that it does not necessarily need to be
fixed.
[0040] While building up the modular construction 1, the
constructor proceeds as follows. First of all, at least two hollow
tubes 2 are inserted into the subsoil 4 as described hereinabove.
Then, on each hollow tube 2, a coupling piece 5 is slid, an axial
orientation being set. Attachment means 12, such as for instance a
clamping screw, serve to attach the girder 7 to the coupling pieces
5. After that, for adjusting the orientation of a longitudinal axis
of a girder 7 with respect to the ground level, the definitive
height of the supporting hollow tubes 2 can be set by axially
pivoting them. This is possible despite the attached girder 7
because the coupling pieces 5 are axially pivotable. After the
definitive setting, the coupling pieces 5 are locked using locking
means 13. These locking means comprise, for instance, a bolt and a
nut. It is also possible to provide the tube 22 of the coupling
pieces 5 with eccentrically provided holes with a screw thread for
locking by means of a clamping bolt.
[0041] The modular construction system 1 can further serve as a
basis for, for instance, clamping a foil 11 for a pond basin 18, as
shown in FIG. 10, or for supporting a pavement 27. Because the foil
11 inter alia serves as pond edge 20, only the pond basin 18 needs
to be dug out, and not the location where the pond edge is anchored
to the subsoil, as is the case with, for instance, wooden sheet
pilings. In this manner, the soil structure at the pond edge 20
remains intact.
[0042] In a variant according to the invention, the clamping
section 10 for clamping the foil 11 is provided with a flange 15 at
the pond side of the construction. As FIG. 7 shows, the flange 15
can be provided on the side wall of the clamping section 10, for
instance below the level of the upper edge of the section 10 and
the level of the subsoil for the pavement 27. The flange 15 serves
to support a row of stones 17, whose top surface is optionally
lower than the top side of the pavement 27. As FIG. 8 shows, the
flange edge can also be bent obliquely upwards with respect to the
ground level, so that the ground level 28 maximally continues to
above the water level 14 in the pond 24.
[0043] As FIG. 9 shows, further, the hollow tubes 2, for the
embellishment and protection of the pond construction 24, can be
provided with attachment means 9, for instance regularly spaced
apart, for attaching sheet elements 8, such as a plate-section or a
natural stone, or retaining walls (not shown). The sheet elements 8
can not only be provided at the side of the pond, but also at the
side of, or above the ground level. The construction can serve to
stabilize all sorts of height differences. In the case of retaining
walls, section side boards of all sorts of materials are vertically
positioned and optionally mutually strengthened by means of
auxiliary sections. Also, side boards can be intercoupled using
auxiliary sections.
[0044] On girders 7, other girders can be positioned by means of a
supporting section comprising two U-sections attached to each other
by their respective sides without ends (the lying sides), so that
the two U-sections can both clamp a girder. The mutual orientation
of the U-sections, for instance transversely, determines the
orientation of the thus attached girders.
[0045] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment
described herein. Many variants are possible. For instance, the
modular construction system 1 can also serve as a basis for, for
instance, a pier construction 19, as shown in FIG. 10, or for a
pergola construction 21, or other garden furniture construction, as
shown in FIG. 11.
[0046] Such variants will be clear to a person skilled in the art
and are understood to be within the scope of the invention as set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *