U.S. patent application number 12/305933 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for building accessible to persons.
Invention is credited to Wilhelmus Jan Reinier Karel Snel.
Application Number | 20090266005 12/305933 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37575252 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090266005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snel; Wilhelmus Jan Reinier
Karel |
October 29, 2009 |
BUILDING ACCESSIBLE TO PERSONS
Abstract
A building accessible to persons, comprising at least one wall
element at least substantially made of corrugated material, as well
as at least two profiled connecting elements for fitting the wall
element therebetween, each connecting element comprising a profile
having an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section for
receiving edges of the wall element between the legs of the
U-shaped cross-section.
Inventors: |
Snel; Wilhelmus Jan Reinier
Karel; (Zwaag, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON & SHERIDAN, L.L.P.
3040 POST OAK BOULEVARD, SUITE 1500
HOUSTON
TX
77056
US
|
Family ID: |
37575252 |
Appl. No.: |
12/305933 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
June 21, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL07/50300 |
371 Date: |
February 26, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.1 ;
156/184; 52/220.1; 52/579 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 1/1205 20130101;
E04B 1/34321 20130101; E04B 2001/3583 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/79.1 ; 52/579;
52/220.1; 156/184 |
International
Class: |
E04H 1/02 20060101
E04H001/02; B65H 81/02 20060101 B65H081/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 21, 2006 |
NL |
2000111 |
Claims
1. A building accessible to persons, characterised by at least one
wall element at least substantially made of corrugated material, as
well as at least two profiled connecting elements for fitting the
wall element therebetween, each connecting element comprising a
profile having an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section for
receiving edges of the wall element between the legs of the
U-shaped cross-section.
2. A building according to claim 1, wherein each connecting element
comprises two profiles having an at least substantially U-shaped
cross-section arranged on either side thereof for fitting two wall
elements to each connecting element on either side thereof, wherein
edges of one wall element are accommodated between the legs of one
the U-shaped cross-section and edges of the upper wall element are
accommodated between the legs of the other U-shaped
cross-section.
3. A building according to claim 1, wherein a seal is provided in
the U-shaped cross-section(s).
4. A building according to claim 1, wherein the legs of each
U-shaped cross-section are of mutually different length.
5. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements
and the wall element/elements are coupled together with a certain
bias.
6. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements
are provided with openings.
7. A building according to claim 5, wherein tensioning means are
passed through said openings.
8. A building according to claim 6, wherein water, gas and/or
electricity lines or the like are led through the openings
9. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements
have a round or an angular cross-section.
10. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting
elements are at least substantially made of at least one material
selected from the group consisting of metal, wood or plastic
material.
11. A building according to claim 10, wherein the connecting
elements are at least substantially made of steel or aluminium.
12. A building according to claim 1 wherein the wall element is at
least substantially built up of layers, each layer at least
substantially being made up of a corrugated sublayer and a flat
sublayer arranged on one side thereof, the layers being bonded
together by means of an adhesive applied to the corrugations or
crests of the corrugated sublayers.
13. A building according to claim 12, wherein said wall element
forms a transverse segment of a building.
14. A building according to claim 12, wherein a corrugated sublayer
forms the outer layer of the wall element.
15. A building according to claim 12, wherein the layers have at
least substantially been selected from at least one material from
the group consisting of fibre material, plastic material, rubber,
metal, paper/cardboard and wood.
16. A building according to claim 15, wherein said fibre material
comprises glass fibres, carbon fibres, mineral fibres and/or
synthetic fibres.
17. A building according to claim 15, wherein the layers of
paper/cardboard are impregnated, in particular with a resinous
material.
18. A building according to claim 15, wherein said layers are at
least substantially made of two-ply, three-ply or multiply
wood.
19. A building according to claim 1, wherein the connecting
elements are provided with an inner liner on the side thereof that
faces towards the inside of the building.
20. A building according to claim 19, wherein said inner liner is
at least substantially made up of board material.
21. A building according to claim 21, wherein said board material
is mounted on inwardly facing edges of the connecting elements.
22. A method for manufacturing a wall element for use in a building
according to claim 12 wherein use is made of a rotatable winding
mould, wherein layers of a strip of sheet material is passed over
an outside contour of the winding mould while said winding mould
being rotated, and wherein each layer is at least substantially
made up of a corrugated sublayer and a flat sublayer arranged on
one side thereof, which layers are bonded together via an adhesive
applied to the crests of the corrugated sublayers.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said winding mould is
rotated about a horizontal shaft.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said horizontal shaft
is driven by a drive unit.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a building that is accessible to
persons.
[0002] Such a building is generally known. In practice there
appears to be a growing need for buildings that can be constructed
in an efficient and easy manner, using as few components as
possible, at locations anywhere in the world. Consequently, a
drawback of the known building is the complex construction method
and the comparatively costly manufacture and assembly of the
components used therefor.
[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a building that
can be constructed in a simple and elegant manner, wherein the
aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art have been obviated, i.e.
wherein a small number of components are used which can be
assembled in a simple manner to form a building.
[0004] In order to accomplish that object, a building of the kind
referred to in the introduction is characterised in that it
comprises at least one wall element at least substantially made of
corrugated material, as well as at least two profiled connecting
elements for fitting the wall element therebetween, each connecting
element comprising a profile having an at least substantially
U-shaped cross-section for receiving edges of the wall element
between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section. In a preferred
variant, each connecting element comprises two profiles having an
at least substantially U-shaped cross-section arranged on either
side thereof for fitting two wall elements to each connecting
element on either side thereof, wherein edges of one wall element
are accommodated between the legs of one the U-shaped cross-section
and edges of the upper wall element are accommodated between the
legs of the other U-shaped cross-section. In this preferred
variant, the connecting element is in particular mirror symmetrical
with respect to a centre plane in the longitudinal direction of the
connecting element. The building is built up of only two types of
mating construction elements, therefore, viz. the aforesaid wall
element, preferably of corrugated material wound in multiple
layers, as well as the aforesaid connecting element comprising at
least one profile having a U-shaped cross-section.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the
invention, a seal is provided in the U-shaped cross-section(s). The
seal is in particular embodied as a flexible seal, such as a rubber
O-ring or a rubber strip, so as to make the connection between the
wall element and the connecting element liquid-tight and/or
gastight.
[0006] In another preferred embodiment of a building according to
the invention, the legs of each U-shaped cross-section are of
mutually different length. Usually the upper leg is longer and
functions as an ideal guide and support for the edges of the wall
element.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the
invention, the connecting elements and the wall element/elements
are coupled together with a certain bias. In this way a strong
building capable of withstanding high forces is obtained, whilst
the liquid- and/or gas-tightness of the connection between the wall
element/elements and the connecting elements is further
increased.
[0008] In another preferred embodiment of a building according to
the invention, the connecting elements are provided with openings.
This makes it possible to lead water, gas and/or electricity lines
or the like through the openings and parallel to the wall
element/elements. Furthermore this makes it possible to pass
tensioning means through the openings. Said tensioning means are in
particular tie rods or push rods, and the connecting elements and
the wall element/elements can be coupled together with a certain
bias, for example by tightening nuts on the rods.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the
invention, the connecting elements have a round or an angular
cross-section. In other words, the building has a corresponding
shape, such as a rectangular, a square, a triangular, a pentagonal,
a circular or an elliptical cross-section.
[0010] In another preferred embodiment of a building according to
the invention, the connecting elements are at least substantially
made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of
metal, wood or plastic material. If the connecting elements are
made of a metal, it is preferable to select steel or (extruded)
aluminium.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the
invention, the wall element is at least substantially built up of
layers, each layer at least substantially being made up of a
corrugated sublayer and a flat sublayer arranged on one side
thereof, the layers being bonded together by means of an adhesive
applied to the corrugations or crests of the corrugated sublayers.
In particular, a corrugated sublayer forms the outer layer of the
wall element, so that dirt from outside can deposit between the
corrugations. In another preferred variant, a flat layer forms the
outer layer of the wall element, so that the outer layer of the
wall element is a smooth layer.
[0012] In another preferred embodiment of a building according to
the invention, the layers have at least substantially been selected
from at least one material from the group consisting of fibre
material, plastic material, rubber, metal, paper/cardboard and
wood. The fibre material in particular comprises glass fibres,
carbon fibres, mineral fibres and/or synthetic fibres. If wood is
used, it is preferred to use two-ply, three-ply or multiply
wood.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the
invention, the layers of paper/cardboard are impregnated, in
particular with a resinous material. It is noted that in this
connection the term "multilayer corrugated paper" is understood to
mean corrugated paper made up of several glued-together layers of
alternately flat and corrugated paper, and that in a flat shape. It
is further noted that the term "paper" is usually used for lighter
types of paper, whilst the term "cardboard" is frequently used for
heavier types. Within the framework of this invention no
limitations are intended as regards the type of material when the
terms paper or cardboard are used.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment of a building according to
the invention, the connecting elements are provided with an inner
liner on the side thereof that faces towards the inside of the
building. Said inner liner is at least substantially made up of
board material, such as boards of gypsum, wood, paper/cardboard or
plastic.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of a building according to the
invention, said board material is mounted on inwardly facing edges
of the connecting elements.
[0016] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a
wall element for use in a building according to the invention,
wherein use is made of a rotatable winding mould, wherein layers of
a strip of sheet material is passed over an outside contour of the
winding mould while said winding mould being rotated, and wherein
each layer is at least substantially made up of a corrugated
sublayer and a flat sublayer arranged on one side thereof, which
layers are bonded together via an adhesive applied to the crests of
the corrugated sublayers. The wall element thus forms a transverse
segment of the building, wherein transverse segments are fitted
together by means of said profiled connecting elements. More in
particular, the winding mould can rotate about a horizontal shaft,
so that the wall elements can be wound one by one in a vertical
plane. The horizontal shaft is in particular driven by a drive
unit, such as an electric motor or a petrol or diesel engine.
[0017] The invention will now be explained in more detail with
reference to figures illustrated in the drawing, in which
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a building
according to the invention;
[0019] FIGS. 2-4 show various views of a connecting element used in
the building of FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 5 shows the manner in which a wall element used in the
building of FIG. 1 is connected to the connecting element of FIG.
2.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a building 1 according to the invention which
is accessible to persons, which building is built up of wall
elements 2,3 that form transverse segments of the building, which
wall elements 2,3 are connected together by means of section-shaped
connecting elements 4, as will be explained in more detail yet
hereinafter. The connecting elements 4 have a more or less round
longitudinal section. The building 1 is provided with a
plate-shaped inner liner 5, which is attached to the connecting
elements 4 in a manner yet to be described in more detail
hereinafter. The building 1 stands clear of the ground on a
foundation, such as a wooden or concrete foundation 6.
[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic, perspective views of a corner
detail of the section-shaped connecting element 4 of FIG. 1, whilst
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view thereof. The profiled
connecting element 4 comprises two profiles 7,8 of U-shaped
cross-section on either side for mounting the two wall elements 2,3
to both sides of the connecting element 4. Edges of one wall
element 2 are received between the legs of one U-shaped
cross-section 7 and edges of the upper wall element 3 are received
between the legs of the other U-shaped cross-section 8. A seal of
some kind, for example rubber O-rings, may be used in the U-shaped
cross-sections 7,8 so as to provide a water/moisture-tight
connection between the wall elements 2,3 and the connecting element
4. As shown, several openings 9 are provided in the "web" of the
section-shaped connecting element 4. Water, gas and/or electricity
lines or the like can be led through said openings. Furthermore,
openings 9' may be used for passing tie rods therethrough. By
tensioning the tie rods, the connecting elements 4 and the wall
elements 2,3 can be mounted together under a bias. As already said
before, the connecting element 4 is provided on the side facing
towards the inside of the building with an inner liner 5 in the
form of a sandwich structure of wooden outside plates 10 with a
corrugated metal core 11. The sandwich structure is mounted to an
inwardly facing edge 12 of the connecting element 4. The sandwich
structure is to that end provided with a groove 13. The space 14
between the upper legs of the U-shaped cross-sections 7,8 and the
flange 15 may be filled with a sound-insulating or thermally
insulating material. An additional profiled cross member 16 is
provided at the corners (FIG. 4) for stiffening the connecting
element 4. Such a cross member may also be used for creating an
attic. The profiled connecting element 4 is provided with preformed
screw holes 17, so that other constructional elements of the
building 1 can be easily screwed or clamped down thereon or be
attached thereto in any other way.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 5, a web of corrugated material, for
example corrugated steel, is wound from a supply roll onto a
winding mould (not shown) with its end via a conveyor belt. By
rotating the winding mould a desired number of times, for example
one or more times, about a horizontal shaft by means of an electric
motor and cutting the web of corrugated steel to the desired
length, a steel wall element 2,3 having a round cross-section is
formed, which can be axially removed from the winding mould and
which forms a transverse segment of the building 1 that is
accessible to persons. It is noted that in this case the transverse
segment consists of two layers of corrugated steel, each layer
being made up of a corrugated sublayer 18 and a flat sublayer 19
arranged on one side thereof, which layers are bonded together via
an adhesive applied to the crests of the corrugated sublayers. A
flat sublayer 19 or a corrugated sublayer 18 of the wall elements
2,3 forms the outer layer of the building 1.
[0024] It is noted that the invention is not limited to the
illustrated embodiment, but that it also extends to other preferred
variants that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *