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EP 1 876 309 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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24.09.2014 Bulletin 2014/39 |
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Date of filing: 06.07.2006 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Block assembly for buildings and relevant manufacturing method
Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude und relevantes Herstellungsverfahren
Assemblage de blocs pour des bâtiments et méthode de fabrication correspondante
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE
SI SK TR |
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Designated Extension States: |
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HR |
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Date of publication of application: |
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09.01.2008 Bulletin 2008/02 |
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Proprietor: Stamford Consulting Limited |
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Dublin 2 (IE) |
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Inventor: |
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- Carotta, Marcello
13852 Cerreto Castello, Biella (BI) (IT)
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Representative: Pozzi, Andrea |
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KEMIA SA
Via Senago 23 6915 Pambio-Noranco 6915 Pambio-Noranco (CH) |
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References cited: :
EP-A- 1 085 137 EP-A- 1 557 249 US-A- 4 856 249
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EP-A- 1 359 263 GB-A- 1 598 237
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to building materials, and in particular to a block
assembly that may also include an insulating panel, as well as to a relevant manufacturing
method.
[0002] In the building industry there is already known a type of block assembly including
an insulating panel, disclosed in the European patent
EP 1085137. In brief, said block assembly is made up of two clay blocks with an insulating panel
therebetween, the latter also acting as a mechanical connector between the two blocks.
In fact, the insulating panel is provided on each face with at least one coupling
element suitable to engage a corresponding seat formed in one of the blocks, the at
least two coupling elements being furthermore mutually joined and fastened to the
insulating panel through a fastening element.
[0003] In practice, in the above-mentioned known block assembly there are provided four
metal clips joined in pairs by pairs of rivets passing through the insulating panel
and provided with spacers to keep the distance between the two clips of each pair.
[0004] Although somewhat effective, this known arrangement has various drawbacks from the
manufacturing point of view due to the number and shape of its components as well
as to the complexity of the assembling phase. In fact, in order to manufacture a single
block assembly there are required 12 elements (in addition to the two blocks and the
insulating panel), namely 4 clips, 4 rivets and 4 spacers and the clips have to be
shaped to engage by snap-fitting or vertical sliding the corresponding seats formed
in the two blocks.
[0005] It is therefore clear that the manufacturing method of such a block assembly implies
several assembling steps such as: boring holes in the insulating panel, slipping the
spacers onto the rivets, introducing the rivets through the clips and the insulating
panel, bending over the ends of the rivets to fasten the clips onto the insulating
panel, forcing the clips into the coupling seats. Such a complicated assembling obviously
involves a complex and expensive assembling machinery and a low manufacturing rate.
[0006] Moreover, this type of block assembly is sensitive to the thickness tolerances of
the insulating panel since the latter is part of the coupling structure between the
two blocks. In other words, if the insulating panel is too thick it is difficult where
not impossible to fasten the clips thereon and to lock the clips into the corresponding
seats of the two blocks; on the contrary, if the panel is too thin the clips will
lack proper support and the connection between the two blocks will not be sufficiently
rigid to be able to handle the block assembly conveniently.
[0007] Coupling elements comprising a dovetail tenon for securing cementious panels provided
with dovetail recesses are disclosed in
GB-A-1 598 237. This shape of the coupling elements is however difficult to realize in most panels
and renders more complicated to assemble the panels.
[0008] Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a block assembly, and
a relevant manufacturing method, which overcomes said drawbacks. This object is achieved
by means of a block assembly as defined in claim 1. This block assembly is made up
of two clay blocks and at least two shaped plate-like connecting elements suitable
to be introduced and glued into corresponding seats formed in the two blocks. A relevant
manufacturing method includes only the pre-arrangement of the blocks and of the connecting
elements, the introduction of the latter in the corresponding seats formed in the
blocks and their gluing in said seats.
[0009] A first great advantage of the present block assembly and of the relevant manufacturing
method is a huge saving, achieved by dramatically reducing both the number of components
and the assembling steps. This results also in a simplification of the assembling
machinery and a significant increase in the manufacturing rate.
[0010] A second important advantage of this block assembly stems from the fact that the
insulating panel is not part of the coupling structure between the two blocks. This
means that the block assembly can be made even without said insulating panel, which
is not possible with the prior art method, and in any case the thickness tolerances
of the insulating panel do no affect the manufacturing of the block assembly.
[0011] A further advantage of said block assembly is the possibility of arranging even more
than one insulating panel between the two blocks, each panel having different characteristics.
Typically, a first panel for thermal insulation and a second panel for acoustic insulation
will be combined and arranged slightly staggered to obtain an abutment that guarantees
a thermal/acoustic insulation enhanced with respect to a conventional flat panel.
[0012] These and other advantages and characteristics of the block assembly according to
the present invention will be clear to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of two embodiments thereof, with reference to the annexed drawings
wherein:
Fig.1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the present block assembly;
Fig.2 is a perspective view of said block assembly in the assembled condition ready for
use;
Fig.3 shows a top plan view and a front view of the connecting element used in said first
embodiment; and
Fig.4 shows a top plan view and a front view of a connecting element that can be used in
a second embodiment.
[0013] With reference to figures 1-3, there is seen that a block assembly for buildings
according to the present invention conventionally includes a first block B and a second
block B' and, preferably, an insulating panel P therebetween. The sides of blocks
B, B' facing panel P have at corresponding positions a pair of vertical coupling seats
S, S' extending along the full height of the block assembly.
[0014] The novel aspect of the present invention is provided by the plate-like connecting
elements C as well as, by the shape of seats S, S' that are simple rectangular recesses.
[0015] As shown in fig.3, a connecting element C has an elongated plate-like structure with
a central wide portion W and two narrow end portions N. This shape of the connecting
element C is devised so that the central wide portion W is wider than seats S, S'
and therefore acts as a spacer between blocks B, B', whereas the end portions N are
sized to enter with a minimum play seats S, S' where they are glued with a suitable
adhesive (e.g. polyurethane foam).
[0016] The plate-like structure of the connecting elements C allows them to be easily passed
through the insulating panel P, when present, without any previous working of the
latter and by means of a mere push since they act like a blade. In this way, the connecting
elements C are fastened onto the insulating panel P very quickly and easily, without
any risk of damaging panel P and without any problem even when the thickness of panel
P is beyond the intended tolerances.
[0017] To make easier the alignment of the connecting elements C and their correct horizontal
penetration of panel P, said elements C are preferably provided with longitudinal
edge fins F extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate-like structure,
typically only at the central portion W. Moreover, in order to increase the bending
stiffness of the connecting elements C they are preferably provided with one or more
longitudinal ribs R (two in the illustrated example).
[0018] In the second embodiment illustrated in fig.4, there are provided connecting elements
C' in which the central portion W' is still a simple rectangular plate, whereas the
end portions N' are T-shaped. It is obvious that in this case also seats S, S' will
correspondingly be T-shaped, and the introduction of the connecting elements C' will
take place through vertical sliding rather than through horizontal sliding as in the
first embodiment.
[0019] This second embodiment allows to achieve a longitudinal resistance not only thanks
to the gluing but also due to the mechanical coupling between ends N' and the corresponding
seats S, S'. However, this implies an increased difficulty in assembling the block
assembly and requires a stricter compliance with the manufacturing tolerances for
the connecting elements C' and blocks B, B' with respect to the simple rectangular
shape of the first embodiment.
[0020] Furthermore, in this second type of connecting element C' there are provided longitudinal
edge fins F' more pronounced than the similar fins F of fig.3. In this way, fins F'
act also as bending reinforcements and it is unnecessary to provide ribs R.
[0021] It is clear that the above-described and illustrated embodiments of the block assembly
according to the invention are just examples susceptible of various modifications.
In particular, it is possible to make connecting elements C, C' with other shapes
as long as they retain a plate-like structure with a central wide portion W, W' that
acts as a spacer between blocks B, B'. Moreover, it is obvious that the number and
arrangement of the connecting elements and of the corresponding seats may change according
to specific manufacturing needs.
1. Block assembly for buildings including a first block (B) and a second block (B') that
have at least one pair of vertical coupling seats (S, S') formed in their mutually
facing sides, as well as at least one pair of connecting elements (C; C`) suitable
to enter said seats (S, S'), said connecting elements (C; C') having a plate-like
structure with a central portion (W; W') wider than the seats (S, S') and end portions
(N; N') sized to enter the seats (S, S') with a minimum play, characterized in that said seats (S,S') are rectangular or T-shaped recesses extending along the full height
of the block assembly.
2. Block assembly for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes an insulating panel (P) arranged between the two blocks (B, B').
3. Block assembly for buildings according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insulating panel (P) is made up of at least two panels having different characteristics
and arranged slightly staggered.
4. Block assembly for buildings according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end portions (N) of the connecting elements (C) are shaped so as to enter the
seats (S, S') through horizontal sliding.
5. Block assembly for buildings according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end portions (N') of the connecting elements (C') are shaped so as to enter the
seats (S, S') through vertical sliding.
6. Block assembly for buildings according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements (C') are provided with longitudinal edge fins (F; F') extending
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate-like structure.
7. Block assembly for buildings according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the longitudinal edge fins (F; F') are present only at the central portion (W; W').
8. Block assembly for buildings according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements (C; C') are provided with one or more longitudinal ribs (R)
suitable to increase their bending stiffness.
9. Method for manufacturing a block assembly for buildings according to one of the preceding
claims, including the steps of
a) arranging a first block (B);
b) arranging a second block (B');
c) placing said blocks CB, B') so that they have at least one pair of vertical coupling
seats (S, S') in their mutually facing sides;
characterized in that it further includes the steps of
d) arranging at least one pair of connecting elements (C; C') having a plate-like
structure with a central portion (W; W') wider than said seats (S, S') and end portions
(N; N') sized to enter the seats (S, S') with a minimum play;
e) introducing said end portions (N; N') into the seats (S; S') through horizontal
or vertical sliding; and
f) gluing said end portions (N; N') into the seats (S; S') by means of a suitable
adhesive.
10. Method according to claim 9,
characterized in that it further includes the steps of:
c') arranging an insulating panel (P);
d') pushing the connecting elements (C; C') through said insulating panel (P) so as
to fasten them onto the latter.
1. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude, umfassend einen ersten Block (B) und einen zweiten
Block (B'), die mindestens ein Paar von auf ihren einander zugewandten Seiten angeformten
senkrechten Kupplungssitzen (S, S') sowie mindestens ein Paar von zum Eintritt in
diese Sitze (S, S') angepassten Verbindungselementen (C; C') aufweisen, wobei diese
Verbindungselemente (C; C') einen plattenförmigen Aufbau haben, mit einem Mittelteil
(W; W'), das breiter ist als die Sitze (S, S'), und mit Endteilen (N; N'), die so
dimensioniert sind, um mit minimalem Spiel in die Sitze (S, S') einzutreten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass diese Sitze (S, S') rechteckige oder T-förmige Ausnehmungen sind, die sich über die
ganze Höhe des Bausatzes von Blöcken erstrecken.
2. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er eine zwischen den beiden Blöcken (B; B') angeordnete Dämmplatte (P) weiter umfasst.
3. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Dämmplatte (P) aus mindestens zwei Platten besteht, die unterschiedliche Merkmale
besitzen und etwas versetzt angeordnet sind.
4. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Endteile (N) der Verbindungselemente (C) so ausgestaltet sind, um durch horizontales
Gleiten in die Sitze (S, S') einzutreten.
5. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Endteile (N') der Verbindungselemente (C') so ausgestaltet sind, um durch vertikales
Gleiten in die Sitze (S, S') einzutreten.
6. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungselemente (C') mit Längsrandflügeln (F; F') versehen sind, die sich
im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Ebene des plattenförmigen Aufbaus erstrecken.
7. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Längsrandflügel (F; F') nur in dem Mittelteil (W; W') vorgesehen sind,
8. Bausatz von Blöcken für Gebäude nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindungselemente (C; C') mit einer oder mehreren Rippe(n) (R) versehen sind,
die dazu geeignet ist/sind, ihre Biegesteifigkeit zu erhöhen,
9. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Bausatzes von Blöcken für Gebäude nach einem der vorhergehenden
Ansprüche, umfassend die Schritte von:
a) Anordnen eines ersten Blocks (B);
b) Anordnen eines zweiten Blocks (B');
c) Legen der Blöcke (B; B') auf so einer Weise, dass sie mindestens ein Paar von senkrechten
Kupplungssitzen (S, S') auf ihren einander zugewandten Seiten aufweisen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es die folgenden Schritte weiter umfasst:
d) Anordnen von mindestens einem Paar von Verbindungselementen (C; C'), die einen
plattenförmigen Aufbau haben, mit einem Mittelteil (W; W), das breiter ist als die
Sitze (S, S'), und mit Endteilen (N; N'), die so dimensioniert sind, um mit minimalem
Spiel in die Sitze (S, S') einzutreten;
e) Einführen der Endteile (N; N') in die Sitze (S, S') durch horizontales oder vertikales
Gleiten; und
f) Kleben der Endteile (N; N') in den Sitzen (S, S') mittels eines geeigneten Klebstoffs.
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es die folgenden Schritte weiter umfasst:
c') Anordnen einer Dämmplatte (P);
d') Schieben der Verbindungselemente (C; C') durch die Dämmplatte (P) in so einer
Weise, dass sie an dieser Platte befestigt werden.
1. Assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments, comportant un premier bloc (B) et un deuxième
bloc (B') qui ont au moins une paire de sièges d'accouplement verticaux (S, S') formés
dans leurs faces mutuellement opposées, ainsi qu'au moins une paire d'éléments de
liaison (C; C') adaptés pour entrer dans lesdits sièges (S, S'), lesdits éléments
de liaison (C; C') ayant une structure en forme de plaque avec une partie centrale
(W; W') plus large que les sièges (S, S') et des parties d'extrémité (N; N') dimensionnés
de façon à entrer dans les sièges (S, S') avec un jeu minimum, caractérisé en ce que lesdits sièges (S, S') sont des évidements rectangulaires ou en forme de 'T' s'étendant
sur toute la hauteur de l'assemblage de blocs.
2. Assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre un panneau isolant (P) disposé entre les deux blocs (B, B').
3. Assemblage de bloc pour bâtiments selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que le panneau isolant (P) est constitué par au moins deux panneaux ayant des caractéristiques
différentes et disposés de façon légèrement décalée.
4. Assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les parties d'extrémité (N) des éléments de liaison (C) sont conformées de manière
à entrer dans les sièges (S, S') par coulissement horizontal.
5. Assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que les parties d'extrémité (N') des éléments de liaison (C') sont conformées de manière
à entrer dans les sièges (S, S') par coulissement vertical.
6. Assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que les éléments de liaison (C') sont pourvus d'ailettes de bord longitudinales (F; F')
s'étendant en direction sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan de la structure en forme
de plaque.
7. Assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que les ailettes de bord longitudinales (F; F') ne sont présentes que en correspondance
de la partie centrale (W; W').
8. Assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que les éléments de liaison (C; C') sont pourvus d'une ou plusieurs nervures longitudinales
(R) adaptées pour augmenter leur rigidité la flexion.
9. Procédé de fabrication d'un assemblage de blocs pour bâtiments selon l'une quelconque
des revendications précédentes, comprenant les étapes consistant à:
a) disposer un premier bloc (B);
b) disposer un deuxième bloc (B');
c) placer lesdits blocs (B, B') de sorte qu'ils ont au moins une paire de sièges d'accouplement
verticaux (S, S') dans leurs faces mutuellement opposées;
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre les étapes consistant à :
d) disposer au moins une paire d'éléments de liaison (C; C') ayant une structure en
forme de plaque avec une partie centrale (W; W') plus large que lesdits sièges (S,
S') et des parties d'extrémité (N; N') dimensionnées pour entrer dans les sièges (S,
S') avec un jeu minimum;
e) introduire lesdites parties d'extrémité (N; N') dans les sièges (S, S') par coulissement
horizontal ou vertical; et
f) coller lesdites parties d'extrémité (N; N') dans les sièges (S, S') au moyen d'un
adhésif approprié.
10. Procédé selon la revendication 9,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre les étapes consistant à:
c') disposer un panneau isolant (P);
d') pousser les éléments de liaison (C; C') à travers ledit panneau isolant (P) de
manière à les fixer sur celui-ci.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description