U.S. patent application number 12/532066 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for joining device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SVEIN BERG HOLDING AS. Invention is credited to Svein Berg.
Application Number | 20100313518 12/532066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39620226 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100313518 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berg; Svein |
December 16, 2010 |
JOINING DEVICE
Abstract
A device for joining a first building element to a second
building element has a bridge element that is in contact with the
first and second building elements to connect the first and second
building elements when in a working position, and a first element
secured to the first building element by being embedded therein.
The first element cooperates with the bridge element. An elastic
sleeve is arranged between the first element and the first building
element. The elastic sleeve has at least one internal groove,
thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and
the first element.
Inventors: |
Berg; Svein; (Isfjorden,
NO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSHA LIANG L.L.P.
TWO HOUSTON CENTER, 909 FANNIN, SUITE 3500
HOUSTON
TX
77010
US
|
Assignee: |
SVEIN BERG HOLDING AS
ndalsnes
NO
|
Family ID: |
39620226 |
Appl. No.: |
12/532066 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NO08/00110 |
371 Date: |
January 14, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/707 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/8254 20130101;
E04B 1/215 20130101; E04B 1/483 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/707 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 19, 2007 |
NO |
20071453 |
Claims
1. A device for joining a first building element to a second
building element comprising: a bridge element that is in contact
with the first and second building elements to connect the first
and second building elements when in a working position; and a
first element secured to the first building element by being
embedded therein, wherein the first element cooperates with the
bridge element, wherein an elastic sleeve is arranged between the
first element and the first building element, and wherein the
elastic sleeve comprises at least one internal groove, thereby
forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and the
first element.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first element
comprises an elongate box element comprising a box open end in
alignment with a surface of the first building element, and wherein
the elastic sleeve forms an elongate main portion arranged around
the first element, with an inner surface of the elastic sleeve in
abutment with the first element and with a sleeve open end in
alignment with the surface of the first building element.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one groove
in the elastic sleeve extend from the sleeve open end in a
longitudinal direction of the elongate sleeve to a sleeve inner end
of the sleeve.
4. The device according to claim 2, wherein, in a cross section
across the longitudinal direction, the elastic sleeve is square
with four inner partial surfaces which together form an inner
surface and wherein the grooves are formed in at least two
oppositely directed inner partial surfaces.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, at the sleeve open
end, the elastic sleeve comprises a flange portion, and wherein a
surface of the flange portion is arranged in alignment with a
surface of the first building element.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the flange portion
forms a frame round the sleeve open end of the elastic sleeve.
7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic sleeve has
a substantially constant internal cross section along a
longitudinal axis of the sleeve, which longitudinal axis extends
from the sleeve open end to a sleeve inner end of the sleeve.
8. A device for joining a first building element to a second
building element, comprising: a bridge element that is in contact
with the first and second building elements to connect the first
and second building elements when in a working position, wherein
the bridge element is firmly embedded in an interconnection when
the first and second building elements are joined, wherein an
external elastic sleeve is arranged around the bridge element, and
wherein the elastic sleeve is provided with at least one internal
groove, thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic
sleeve and the bridge element.
9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic
flange element in contact with the elastic sleeve, wherein the
flange element extends in a space between the first and second
building elements when joined.
10. A use of an elastic sleeve, comprising: an elongate main
portion with an open end, a flange portion arranged as a frame
round the open end at least one internal groove provided in an
inner surface of the sleeve, embedded at least partly in a first
building element, and a part of a joining system for joining the
first building element and a second building element arranged
inside the elastic sleeve for joining the first and second building
elements.
11. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in a cross section
across the longitudinal direction, the elastic sleeve is square
with four inner partial surfaces which together form an inner
surface and wherein the grooves are formed in at least two
oppositely directed inner partial surfaces.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for joining two
building elements, for example a landing and a wall, a column and a
beam or a staircase and a stair element. At least one of the two
building elements that have to be joined is a cast element.
[0002] When joining elements in order to assemble a building, it is
desirable that this should be done in as easy a way as possible
while at the same time avoiding exposing personnel to unnecessary
risks. In this connection a plurality of systems have been
developed for joining two building elements, where the joining
systems generally comprise pre-installed elements in the building
elements which, when the elements are lifted into their utilisation
site, can be easily adjusted so as to give engagement between the
two building elements. One possible solution is to arrange a box
element in each of the building elements while having a bridge
element movably mounted in one of the box elements which is moved
into engagement with the second building element, with the result
that the bridge element in a joined position is placed in contact
with both the building elements, transferring forces between them.
This bridge element can be moved inside the box element in several
ways, for example by mechanical and/or hydraulic influence in the
rear edge of the bridge element, by pulling a rope or the like.
Another solution is to arrange a part of a joining system in one of
the building elements by, for example, embedding it in the building
element. This first part of the joining system has a projecting
element where the second part of the joining system can be fastened
to this projecting element, thereby achieving a joining of the two
building elements. These solutions are solutions which can be
grouted after joining, i.e. the space between the building elements
is filled with grouting compound. Examples of joining systems are
described in NO B1 316180, GB 1400595 and EP B1 0423660.
[0003] A problem with these known solutions is sound transfer
between the building elements in such systems. Where the bridge
element solution does not have to be grouted, a seating washer may
be mounted in the lower edge of the bridge element to prevent sound
transfer between the building elements. Where the systems, for
example, have to be grouted in the gap between the building
elements, a washer of this kind does not provide sufficient sound
insulation between the building elements.
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a solution
which gives sound insulation between two joined building elements.
It is also an object to provide a solution which is easy to use and
which does not create greater difficulties in joining the building
elements than the currently existing systems. It is also an object
to provide a solution for sound insulation which is effective both
during installation and during use. It is also an object to provide
a solution which can be employed with different types of joining
systems.
[0005] These objects are achieved by devices and a use as indicated
in the following claims.
[0006] The invention relates to a device for joining two building
elements, which device comprises a first element secured to one of
the building elements, which first element is adapted for
cooperation with a bridge element which in a working position is in
contact with both the first and second building element, connecting
the building elements and transferring forces between the building
elements. The two building elements may be a landing and a wall, a
column and a beam, a staircase and a stair element or other similar
interconnections between two building elements. The device may be
so arranged that the first element of the device is secured
relative to the first building element, a column or staircase, or
alternatively the first element of the device is secured relative
to the second building element, a beam or a stair element. In this
application, the expression "adapted for cooperation with a bridge
element" should be understood to mean both that a bridge element
may be movably arranged in the first element for movement from a
retracted position to an extended position for interconnection of
the two building elements, in which case the first element
comprises devices permitting the bridge element to be moved
relative to the first element, or a bridge element which is fixedly
mounted relative to the first element of the device before joining
the two building elements. When joining the building elements, the
second building element may also comprise a lock element for
cooperation with the bridge element in order to establish a fixed
connection between the two building elements. This second building
element may also comprise a solution according to the
invention.
[0007] According to the invention a first element of the device is
embedded in the building element with an elastic sleeve mounted
between the first element and the building element, where the
elastic sleeve is provided with at least one internal groove,
thereby forming at least one cavity between the elastic sleeve and
the first element.
[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one
groove in the elastic sleeve may extend in one or more directions
in an interior surface of the elastic sleeve. The sleeve may be
designed with a continuous groove which may be linear,
circumscribing an internal circumference of the sleeve, or
alternatively as a spiral or it may be curved. In an alternative
embodiment the sleeve may comprise several grooves which are linear
or curved or a combination thereof. Several grooves may extend
substantially parallel inside the sleeve. In a further alternative,
the several grooves which may be curved or linear may be arranged
so that they intersect, thereby forming a network of grooves inside
the sleeve. The depth of the grooves in the interior surface of the
sleeve may be substantially identical or vary along a groove or be
varied from groove to groove. The width of a groove may also be
varied along the groove.
[0009] According to an aspect the first element comprises an
elongate box element, which is closed with an open end, where this
open end is arranged in alignment with a surface of the building
element. In this case the elastic sleeve forms a corresponding
elongate main portion arranged round this first element, with an
inner side of the elastic sleeve in abutment with the first element
and with an open end in alignment with a surface of the building
element. The elastic sleeve is therefore complementary in shape to
the first element. The box element and the elastic sleeve have a
longitudinal direction extending from the open end inwards in the
box element. The inside of the box element is also designed so that
it can cooperate with a bridge element of the joining system for
joining the two building elements. This bridge element may be
fixedly mounted relative to the first element or movable relative
to the first element. Where the bridge element is movable, the
elongate element may comprise an access opening extending from the
outside of the building element to a rear end of the box element,
i.e. the end of the box element which is furthest away from the
open end. In this case the outer sleeve with its complementary
shape will also be provided with a sleeve portion which is arranged
around this access opening.
[0010] According to an aspect the elastic sleeve has a square shape
in a cross section across the longitudinal direction. In other
embodiments the cross section may have a different shape such as
round, triangular or polygonal. Where a cross section of the
elastic sleeve has four or more sides, the sleeve may be provided
with at least one groove in at least two oppositely directed
interior partial surfaces, which partial surfaces form the internal
surface of the sleeve. In an embodiment the grooves may extend from
the open end inwards in the sleeve substantially parallel with the
longitudinal axis of the sleeve, to a rear end surface of the
sleeve.
[0011] According to an aspect of the invention, the elastic sleeve
may comprise a flange portion at the open end, where a surface of
the flange portion is arranged in alignment with a surface of the
building element, generally the surface of the flange portion
facing away from the rest of the sleeve, at the open end of the
sleeve. With such an arrangement of the flange portion aligned with
a surface of the building element, an embodiment may be provided
where no parts of either the sleeve or the first element project
beyond an outer surface of the building element after production of
the building element. With such an arrangement, the building
element can be manufactured at a factory and transported to the
utilisation site without projecting parts, thereby facilitating the
transport of the building element from the factory to the
utilisation site. The arrangement of the sleeve and the first
element in such a manner, where the bridge element is arranged
movably within the first element, will also facilitate the joining
of the building element since the sleeve and the first element will
in no way form a hindrance during the joining procedure for joining
the two building elements.
[0012] Depending on the area of application, in an embodiment the
flange portion of the sleeve may form a frame round the open end of
the elastic sleeve. The width of the frame, i.e. the length over
which the flange extends from the open end of the sleeve, may be
identical round the opening of the sleeve or varied depending on
the side of the sleeve. The frame may also be designed so as to
extend in such a manner that an edge of the flange portion remains
in alignment with a second surface, for example a top, of the
building element. In a variant the extent of the frame will
correspond to the portion of a gap between the two building
elements which are being joined, which gap will be grouted after
the building elements have been joined. In this case the width of
the frame formed by the flange portion may vary round the
circumference of the open end.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention the elastic sleeve has a
substantially constant internal cross section, composed of the
inner surface of the elongate main portion, along a longitudinal
axis of the sleeve, which longitudinal axis extends from the open
end to an inner end of the sleeve. In an embodiment the inner end
of the sleeve may be open and closed in another version. In an
embodiment the elastic sleeve may be of a complementary shape to an
outer surface of the first element and be arranged in a covering
fashion between the first element and the building element, with
the result that there is no direct contact between the building
element and the first element. In a variant of the invention this
first element may also form the bridge element in the
interconnection, where the sleeve covers at least a part of the
bridge element located inside one of the building elements.
[0014] The invention also comprises a device for joining two
building elements, for example a landing and a wall, which device
comprises a bridge element which in a working position is in
contact with both the first and second building element, connecting
the building elements in the same way as indicated above. According
to this embodiment of the invention the bridge element is firmly
embedded in the interconnection when the building elements are
joined with an external elastic sleeve arranged round the bridge
element, where the elastic sleeve is provided with at least one
internal groove, thereby forming at least one cavity between the
elastic sleeve and the bridge element.
[0015] In an embodiment of this aspect of the invention the device
comprises an elastic flange in contact with the elastic sleeve,
with the result that the flange extends in a gap between the two
building elements when they are joined.
[0016] The present invention also relates to a use of an elastic
sleeve, comprising an elongate main portion with an open end, a
flange portion arranged as a frame round the open end and at least
one internal groove provided in an inner surface of the sleeve,
embedded in a building element, with a part of a joining system for
joining two building elements arranged inside the elastic sleeve,
for joining two building elements. A part of a joining system may
be a first element and/or a bridge element. The invention will now
be explained in greater detail with reference to the attached
figures, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a device according
to the invention,
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve for use in a device
as illustrated in FIG. 1,
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates the sleeve in FIG. 2 viewed in the
direction towards the open end,
[0020] FIG. 4 is a view from above of the sleeve in FIG. 2,
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a device according
to the invention and
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of a device according
to the invention.
[0023] In the attached figures the same reference numerals are
employed for corresponding elements in the different
embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a device according to the invention for
interconnection of a first building element 1 and a second building
element 2. In the embodiment in FIG. 1 this is accomplished by the
first building element 1 comprising a first element 3 embedded in
the first building element. This first element 3 is naturally
connected with non-illustrated reinforcing elements embedded in the
first building element 1. This first element 3 is in the form of a
box element 30 with an open end 31 of the box element 30 arranged
edge to edge with a first surface 101 of the building element 1.
This first building element 1 may be a landing, a beam or stair
element, with a second surface 102 and a third surface 103, where
the second and third surface may form a top and a bottom of the
element respectively. In the box element 30 is mounted a movable
bridge element 5. This bridge element 5 can be moved from a
non-illustrated retracted position substantially arranged inside
the box element 3 to an extended position as illustrated in the
figure where the bridge element 5 projects for a distance from the
box element 30 and is arranged projecting into a cut-out or a
cavity 8 in the second building element 2. In this embodiment the
bridge element 5 will be moved between an extended and a retracted
position by means of non-illustrated rope devices which are
provided in such a manner that by pulling a rope the bridge element
is pulled into an extended position and alternatively a second rope
may also be provided which when pulled will pull the bridge element
into a retracted position. In the lower edge of the bridge element
5 where it abuts against the second building element 2, a bearing
plate 6 is provided. In a variant this cavity 8 may also comprise a
box element embedded in the second building element 2 in order to
form the cavity 8. Normally a gap 7 between the two building
elements 1, 2 will be grouted after the building elements 1, 2 are
joined.
[0025] This may be accomplished by inserting a sealing device (not
shown) in the gap 7 between the building elements 1, 2 in the lower
edge of the interconnection, i.e. near the surface 103 of the first
building element 1, whereupon the gap 7 is filled with grouting
compound from the top, filling all the voids in the
interconnection.
[0026] According to the invention a sleeve 10 of an elastic
material is arranged round the box element 30. The sleeve 10
encircles the box element 30 and is embedded in the building
element 1 together with the box element 30. The sleeve 10 comprises
an elongate main portion 11 and a flange portion 12. The flange
portion 12 is arranged so as to extend substantially
perpendicularly from a longitudinal axis for the elongate main
portion 11, with a surface 14 facing away from the first building
element 1 in alignment with the surface 101 of the building element
1.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, which illustrate the sleeve 10
according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve comprises
an elongate main portion 11 and a flange portion 12. The main
portion 11 has an interior surface 16, which abuts against the box
element 30 when the device is assembled. Grooves 17 are provided in
this interior surface 17, in the illustrated example two grooves 17
in two partial surfaces 16A, 16C facing each other, since the
interior surface 16 in the illustrated example is composed of four
partial surfaces 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, arranged so as to form a
rectangle in a cross section across the longitudinal axis. These
grooves 17 extend from an open end 21 of the main portion 11 and
substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the main portion
11 into a rear end 18, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The flange portion
12 extends from the open end 21 and substantially perpendicularly
relative to a longitudinal axis. The flange portion 12 extends from
the open end 21 and out in all directions, thereby forming a frame
round the open end 21, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The flange portion
also forms a substantially square frame round the open end 21, with
outer edge 13, consisting of outer partial edges 13A, 13B, 13C,
13D, where these partial edges 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D extend
substantially parallel with the adjacent inner partial surface 16A,
16B, 16C, 16D of the main portion 11. The width of the frame formed
by the flange portion 12, which is the distance between the
adjacent inner partial surface 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and the outer
partial edge 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D is substantially identical for the
whole flange portion 12. This provides a frame which in a cross
section relative to the longitudinal axis for the sleeve forms a
substantially square outer circumference complementary to an inner
cross section of the main portion 11. By means of its shape the
flange portion 12 also forms a surface 14 of the flange portion 12,
which surface 14 is a surface of the flange portion facing away
from the main portion 11. The flange portion 12 also has a rear
side 15 facing in the opposite direction of the surface 14, see
FIG. 4.
[0028] In another embodiment the width of the frame may be varied,
the edges of the frame need not be parallel with the adjacent inner
lateral surface, the flange portion may form a differently shaped
cross section than one which is complementary to the inner cross
section of the sleeve.
[0029] The thickness of the sleeve may also be varied along and/or
round the sleeve and between the main portion and the flange
portion. The inner cross section and/or an outer cross section of
the sleeve may also be varied along the longitudinal axis of the
sleeve.
[0030] In FIG. 5 a second embodiment of a device according to the
invention is illustrated. A first building element 1 comprises a
first element 3, composed of a box element 30 with an open end 31
substantially in alignment with a surface of the first building
element 1 facing the second building element 2. In this embodiment
the first element 3 comprises an access opening 32 arranged so as
to give access to a rear end 32 of the box element 30 from a top
102 of the first building element 1, via the access opening 32. In
the box element 30 is mounted a movable bridge element 5. The
access opening 32 gives the opportunity of influencing the bridge
element 5 mechanically, for example by pushing the rear end 35 of
the bridge element 5 in order to push it into an extended position.
The bridge element 5 also comprises a stop element 33 for
preventing the bridge element 5 from being moved too far out. In an
extended position, the bridge element 5 will be arranged in a
cavity 8 in the second building element, abutting against a bearing
plate 6. In this case too the space 7 between the two building
elements 1, 2 will be grouted in an assembled position, thereby
firmly embedding the bridge element. In this embodiment of the
invention a sleeve 10 is arranged round the bridge element 5, where
internal grooves are provided in the sleeve 10, thereby forming a
space between the sleeve 10 and the bridge element 5 even when the
interconnection is grouted and the sleeve 10 is embedded on the
side which is not facing the bridge element 5. In this manner an
outer cast material is obtained which forms a part of a building
element, a sleeve and an internal element of the joining device
with a cavity between the sleeve and the internal element.
According to this embodiment a flange element 20 is also provided
in contact with the sleeve 10, where the flange element 20 extends
over the area of the first surface 101 of the first building
element 1 which has to be grouted.
[0031] In FIG. 6 a third embodiment of the invention is
illustrated. In a corresponding manner to the devices described
with reference to the first and second embodiments, this device
also comprises a first element 3 embedded in the first building
element 1, and a bridge element 5 movably mounted in the first
element 3, where the device is grouted after installation so that
the bridge element is embedded in the cavity 8 in the second
building element 2. In this embodiment, however, the sleeve 10 with
internal grooves is arranged round the part of the bridge element 5
located inside the cavity 8 in the second building element 2. In
this case too a part of a building element will be cast round a
sleeve with a part of the joining device arranged inside at least a
part of the sleeve. In this embodiment the sleeve 10 comprises an
elongate main portion 11 and a flange portion 12 with an
intermediate expanding portion 19, with the result that an open end
21 of the sleeve 10 is larger than an inner end 18 of the sleeve
10. In this embodiment a relatively lower edge of the sleeve 10
forms a straight surface, with the result that the expansion in the
expanding portion 19 is performed by giving a relatively upper
surface of the portion an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of
the sleeve. In this embodiment the flange portion 12 is shown
arranged located on the outside of a surface of the second building
element 2. In a variant it may be arranged so that a surface 14 of
the flange portion 12 is aligned with a surface of the second
building element 2.
[0032] The invention has now been explained with reference to
embodiments, but a person skilled in the art will understand that
changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments as shown,
where the changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined
in the following claims. For example, a device according to the
invention may comprise a sleeve arranged both round the box element
as well as the bridge element as a combination of the first and
third embodiments. Furthermore, the device according to the
invention may also be adapted to a joining system where the bridge
element is not movably but fixedly connected to a first building
element, possibly a column, where the second building element is
lifted into place over the bridge element and where these are then
grouted, where a sleeve with interior grooves according to the
invention may be arranged located round a box element embedded in
the first building element. The grooves inside the sleeve may have
other shapes than the illustrated rectilinear form.
* * * * *