U.S. patent number 3,706,169 [Application Number 05/044,848] was granted by the patent office on 1972-12-19 for building-frame structure.
Invention is credited to Eberhard G. Rensch.
United States Patent |
3,706,169 |
Rensch |
December 19, 1972 |
BUILDING-FRAME STRUCTURE
Abstract
A building-frame structure is assembled from prefabricated
columns and girders or beams forming a horizontal grid, each of the
columns being composed of two or more parallel uprights forming
vertical channels therebetween to receive the webs of the beams.
Profiled connectors, with ribs of the same width as the beams, can
also be clamped between these uprights to secure the column to a
wall consisting of one or more framed panels onto which the
connector can be clipped.
Inventors: |
Rensch; Eberhard G.
(Frankfurt/Main, DT) |
Family
ID: |
27430907 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/044,848 |
Filed: |
June 9, 1970 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 9, 1969 [DT] |
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P 19 29 175.9 |
Mar 10, 1970 [DT] |
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P 20 11 258.7 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/263; 52/282.2;
D25/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
2/7453 (20130101); E04B 1/615 (20130101); E04B
1/24 (20130101); E04B 1/6158 (20130101); E04B
2/7448 (20130101); E04B 1/6154 (20130101); E04B
2/7854 (20130101); E04B 2/78 (20130101); E04B
2001/2463 (20130101); E04B 2001/2481 (20130101); E04B
2001/2472 (20130101); E04B 2001/2448 (20130101); E04B
2001/2466 (20130101); E04B 2001/0084 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
1/24 (20060101); E04B 1/61 (20060101); E04B
2/74 (20060101); E04B 2/76 (20060101); E04B
2/78 (20060101); E04B 1/00 (20060101); E04c
003/32 (); E04b 001/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/263,732,730,731,720,301,299,292 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Faw, Jr.; Price C.
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A building-frame structure comprising vertical columns and
horizontal beams spanning said columns at an elevated level, each
column being formed with at least three outwardly open vertical
channels radiating in different directions from the vicinity of a
central axis and extending over the full height of the columns,
said beams having webs of a height substantially less than that of
the columns received in channels of the columns spanned thereby,
and fastening means detachably securing said beams to said columns;
the web of each beam being bounded by an upper flange and a lower
flange and projecting endwise beyond said lower flange, the
projecting end of the web occupying a top portion of a column
channel with said upper flange overlying the top of the column.
2. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each column consists
of at least a pair of spaced-apart uprights defining at least one
of said channels between them, said fastening means interconnecting
said uprights while engaging a beam web received in the intervening
channel.
3. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said uprights are
profiles with pairs of outwardly extending ribs forming an
additional channel therebetween.
4. A structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said profiles have
cross-sections bent at an angle of 120.degree., said additional
channel being centered on the bisector of said angle.
5. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said uprights are
hollow posts of polygonal cross-section.
6. A structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said cross-section is
substantially square.
7. A structure as defined in claim 5 wherein confronting sides of
adjoining posts are provided with bores for said fastening means
and exposed sides of said posts are provided with holes giving
access to said bores.
8. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said columns are
provided with foot plates having upstanding flanges received in
said channels.
9. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper flange has
beveled corners facilitating insertion of an identical web at the
same level into an adjoining channel of the same column.
Description
Industrialization of the building industry calls, on the one hand,
for a simple but multi-purpose framework or grid structure adapted
to conform to a selected floor plan and, on the other hand, for
prefabricated or partition systems to be used therewith.
My present invention relates to a frame structure for buildings and
to a wall or partition system to subdivide that frame structure or
to be incorporated into same. As compared to prior-art structures,
the frame structure according to the present invention is a simple
assembly of basic structural elements designed to fit various grid
types.
An improved wall or partition system described hereinafter,
satisfying the requirements for prefabrication, thermal insulation
and simple assembly, may be used in connection with a frame
structure according to the present invention in the case of wall
materials which are not selfsupporting.
In accordance with the present invention I provide, in a
building-frame structure, a grid of prefabricated members including
columns and girders or beams interconnecting same, the columns
being composed of two or more parallel uprights forming at least
three outwardly open vertical channels therebetween to receive the
webs of the beams, these channels radiating in different directions
(e.g. 90.degree. or 120.degree. apart) from the vicinity of the
central column axis. Depending on the layout of the grid, the beams
connected with the columns (preferably in a detachable manner, with
the aid of bolts) include angles of 60.degree., 90.degree. or
possibly 120.degree. with one another. The channels may also be
used for clamping engagement with ribbed connectors adapted to
secure the column to an adjacent wall member having a profiled edge
engageable by the connector .
Embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two supporting columns with a
horizontally extending girder;
FIG. 2 isometrically illustrates a foot plate for a column;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, drawn to a larger scale, of one
of the columns of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modified column;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a further modification of the
column of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 6a - 6e show different clamping profiles;
FIGS. 7a and 7b show frame profiles in cross-sectional views;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connection between a number
of panel elements;
FIG. 8a shows the clamping element of FIG. 6b with two sealing
layers;
FIGS. 9, 9a - 9d are diagrammatic views of several kinds of panel
connection; and
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
supporting column according to my invention.
FIG. 1 shows two columns 1 according to the present invention as
well as a girder or beam 2 to be emplaced between them as part of a
framework or grid structure conforming to a predetermined floor
plan. Each column 1 comprises two profiles 1a and 1b and may be
connected with the foundation via foot portions 3 (FIG. 2)
including a plate 4 and upright flanges 5 receivable in vertical
channels 51, 52a, 52b defined by the column profiles. It is also
possible, of course, to connect the profiles directly with the
foundation by means of angle irons.
In order to establish a detachable junction between the columns 1
and the beam 2, the web of the latter is inserted into the channel
51 separating the profiles 1a and 1b and is bolted to the flanges
of these profiles by screws passing through bores 6 in the beam and
7 in the column. As is also apparent from FIG. 1, the fastening of
the web of the beam to the two profiles defining the throughgoing
channel 51 joins these profiles to each other besides connecting
the column to the beam. The length of the beams and the relative
positioning of the columns depend, of course, upon the static
requirements of the selected floor plan.
The girder 2 is designed as an I-beam whose upper flange 8 is
beveled at both ends and whose lower flange 9' is foreshortened to
facilitate insertion of the web into the column channels. The
beveling of flange 8 of a beam received in, say, channel 51 allows
that flange to come to rest on the profiles 1a, 1b without
interfering with the insertion of a similar beam into channel 52a
or 52b.
FIG. 3 shows the column 1 of FIG. 1 in greater detail, yet with a
beam 2 inserted in one of the shorter channels (i.e. the channel
52a individual to profile 1a) instead of the throughgoing channel
51. These individual channels are formed between a pair of ribs 11'
and 11" of each profile perpendicular to the main channel 51. A
detachable connection between profile 1a and beam 2 is formed with
the aid of a screw 10. Thus, two beams secured to the column in the
manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 include with each other an angle of
90.degree., forming part of an orthogonal grid.
A grid structure with beams radiating at 120.degree. angles may be
set up with the aid of a column 12, FIG. 4, comprising three
profiles 12a, 12b and 12c each forming an obtuse angle of
120.degree.. Screws 10 can again be used to connect adjoining
profiles with each other as well as with an interposed beam 2.
In a modified structure as shown in FIG. 5, a column 17 formed from
three 120.degree. profiles 17a, 17b and 17c is additionally
provided with a pair of ribs 19', 19" on each profile defining a
channel to accommodate a beam 2 extending along the bisector of the
profile angle. Thus, the column 17 can be used to support beams
including angles of 60.degree. with one another.
In FIGS. 6a - 6e I have shown several profiles of different
cross-sections designed to connect wall panels to one another or to
other structural elements such as a column. Profile 21 of FIG. 6a
has a C- or U-section with flanges terminating in thickened bead
portions 21a. Profile 22 of FIG. 6b has an H-section with four
beads 22a. Profile 23 of FIG. 6c has a U-section with flanges
terminating in beads 23a and an ancillary reinforcing web 23b
spanning these flanges. Profile 24 of FIG. 6d is another U-section
with enlarged flange ends 24a and with a median rib 24b extending
in the opposite direction over preferably the entire length of the
profile. Profile 25 of FIG. 6e combines the bridged U-section of
FIG. 6c, terminating in beads 25a, with a T-section 25b including a
central leg taking the place of rib 24b in FIG. 6d.
In FIG. 7a I have shown a profiled frame 26 enclosing a panel
element 27 to protect its edges and to facilitate the establishment
of a connection between that element and an adjoining structural
part. Advantageously, related materials are used for the panel and
the frame, such as foam polystyrene for the former and extruded
polystyrene for the latter.
The cross-section of frame 26 is generally U-shaped, its web and
flanges being centrally slitted at 26a and having their respective
halves interconnected by inwardly extending triangular bridge
pieces 26c defining voids 26b. These voids accommodate the beads
21a - 25a of the various profiles 21 - 25 which can be introduced
through the slits 26a whose edges are outwardly flared for easier
introduction of the beads.
In FIG. 7b I have shown a profile 26' similar in cross-section to
frame profile 26 but of rectangular outline, with four slitted
sides internally reinforced by rectangular bridges as described
with reference to FIG. 7a.
FIG. 8 illustrates the manner in which four panels 27, 27a, 27b,
27c, juxtaposed in pairs to form a wall of twice their thickness,
may be interconnected with the aid of an H-section profile 22
(FIG.6b) engaging their frames 26 in the manner just described. The
beads 22a of this profile are received in voids 26b of respective
frames, the corresponding flanges traversing the slits 26a. As
separately illustrated in FIG. 8a, a sealing medium 31 such as foam
rubber or permanently elastic putty may be inserted within the
profile 22 on both sides of its web to fill the spaces between that
web and the adjoining frame surfaces. The inwardly tapering slit
edges, converging toward the inserted beads 22a, insure the
maintenance of a secure connection.
As further shown in FIG. 8, a profile 25 of the type illustrated in
FIG. 6e may be laterally clipped onto the frames of confronting
panels 27, 27a and, with the aid of its T-section 25b, may engage a
pair of facing panels 32 protecting the wall structure 27, 27a,
27b, 27c against atmospheric influences and mechanical damage. The
facings 32 may be made of synthetics, glass, asbestos cement or
metal and may be assembled with profile 25 prior to its attachment
to the panel frames.
Besides serving as a connector for the facings 32, profile 25 also
closes the gap between the frames of panels 27 and 27a, again with
the interposition of a seal layer 31.
Two further panels 27d and 27e, extending at right angles to the
four-panel wall on the side of member 27b and 27c, may be connected
with these members by means of another I-section profile 22 as
illustrated in dot-dash lines.
If the protective facings 32 are not needed, the panel members
preferably consisting of foam polystyrene may be directly covered
with wallpaper or the like as indicated at 34 for member 27d and
27e, possibly with interposition of a more solid intermediate
layer.
The wall-forming panels may be provided with armatures 33 as
illustrated in FIG. 8.
FIGS. 9 and 9a-9d diagrammatically illustrate diverse possibilities
of erecting different wall structures by the technique just
described. According to FIG. 9, two panels 27 are interconnected by
a pair of U-profiles 21 (cf. FIG.6a ) to form a simple wall 28.
FIG. 9a shows a double-wall structure 28a, similar to that of FIG.
8, with an I-profile 22 as its central connector and two U-profiles
(or C-profiles) 21 on the sides to cover up the gaps. In FIG. 9b I
have shown a structure 28b corresponding to the assembly of panels
27, 27a-27e of FIG. 8 and interconnected in the same manner by two
I-profiles 22. The structure 28e of FIG. 9c is again a double wall,
with facings 32 on opposite sides secured to the main panels by
composite profiles 25 as described in connection with FIG. 8. FIG.
9d shows a structure 28d with two double walls adjoining each other
at right angles and with use of a rectangular profile 26' (see FIG.
7b) to complete the assembly, the several elements being
interconnected by two I-profiles 22 while a C-profile 21 serves to
cover the gap between the profile 26' and a confronting wall
edge.
FIG. 10 shows, in cross-sectional view, a column 35 adapted to be
used in essentially the same manner as the columns of FIG. 3-5 for
the support of beams or girders, here designated 38, which are
detachable secured thereto with the aid of screws 37. Column 35
comprises a central core 41 and four hollow posts 40 of generally
square-cross section which are open at one corner and provided with
inturned lips engaging in corresponding grooves of the core, these
posts being transversely spaced to form channels accommodating the
webs of the beams. Holes 43 in the exposed sides of the post walls
give access to the screws 37 passing through bores in the
confronting sides of adjoining parts.
As further illustrated in FIG. 10, column 35 may also serve to
connect the framework of a building with wall members of the
general type described above, here specifically a wall formed from
two panels 27 separated by a space 42. A profile 24, of the type
described with reference to FIG. 6d, engages the framed panels 27
by its beaded flanges and is clamped with its rib 24b between two
of the posts 40. Space 42 can be used to accommodate insulating or
supply lines. Again, the clearance between the panels and the
profiled connector is shown filled with a sealing layer 31. The
elements of the framework and paneling thus interconnected may be
reassembled in accordance with a different floor plan.
To assembled the wall structure, a connector profile is first
fastened to the ceiling or to a wall member or column already
standing; next, the wall-forming panels are attached to that
profile, with the bottom element trimmed to the proper height. As
soon as all wall elements are in place, the residual clearance
beneath the wall may be filled with polystyrene or the like and
covered by skirting boards bracketing the wall which, being
suspended from above, may freely expand or contract in response to
changing temperatures without undergoing deformation.
* * * * *