ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A THREE DIMENSIONAL FRAMED STRUCTURE TO BE FASTENED TO A FRAME OF A BUILDING

Abstract

 In a method of forming a three-dimensional ring structure to be fastened to the frame structure of a building a three-dimensional assembly is produced by forming at least two console rings (9) comprising at least a first console part (17), the cross-sectional profile of which is formed by at least two flanges (28, 19) connected to each other and being at an angle to each other and having two ends (26), and at least a second console part (18), the cross-sectional profile of which consists of at least two flanges (19, 18) connected to each other and being at angle to each other and having two ends (25). The ends (25, 26) of the at least first and second console parts (17, 18) are connected to each other for forming a console ring (9) and the at least two console rings (9) are connected to each other by means of at least one moulding (10, 13, 14).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to construction of houses, especially blocks of flats. The invention relates especially to ceiling structures, wall structures and pipe work structures, false ceilings and wall structures related thereto. In more detail, the present invention relates to a method and assembly according to the preambles of independent claims for forming a false ceiling or a similar box-type structure.

[0002] Houses and other buildings require pipes for, among others, air conditioning, household water, waste water and heating. Additionally electric wires are needed for various purposes. The pipe works comprise essentially horizontal routes and vertical routes. One solution is to locate the pipe work inside the floor or wall structure. Blocks of flats are generally built utilizing a so-called building unit technology. Separate wall, floor and roof units are manufactured at a separate unit factory and the units are attached to each other at the construction site of the house. Arranging the pipe work inside the unit is difficult and is not well suitable for unit construction. Pipe work, especially horizontal routes, can be located in the roof of the room, directly below the surface of the ceiling. Pipe work or single pipes can be located in the room space in the vicinity of the wall surface. The advantage of these solutions is their easy installability and serviceability. A downside of the solutions is the untidy appearance. The appearance issue has previously been solved by building another ceiling under the pipe works or a box-like structure around the pipes. Such a solution is called a false ceiling or a box-type structure. Usually the pipes arranged at the ceiling of the room space do not need the whole area of the ceiling of the room space. If the false ceiling is used along the whole area, the volume of the room space is unnecessarily reduced. Box-like covers are built around the pipe work on the building site by means of conventional construction methods and materials. A disadvantage of the solution is the bad dimensional precision when compared with construction using factory-made parts, components and units. Conventionally, the pipes of the pipe work are fastened to the ceiling or wall of the room space with pipe brackets separately designed for each pipe type. The false ceiling structure is only designed to support the ceiling lining units and it is not designed to bear any other loads.

[0003] One solution for realizing a false ceiling that is also capable of supporting other loads is disclosed in publication US 2015226451.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to a first feature of the invention there is provided an assembly for forming a three-dimensional ring structure to be fastened to the frame structure of the building, the assembly comprising:

• at least two console rings comprising:
  • at least a first console part, the cross-sectional profile of which consists of at least two flanges being in connection with each other and angled in relation to each other and having two ends,
  • at least a second console part, the cross-sectional profile of which consists of at least two flanges being in connection with each other and angled in relation to each other and having two ends, and
  • the ends of at least the first and the second console parts are connected together to form a console ring, and
• at least one moulding by means of which the two console rings are attached to each other.

[0005] According to a second feature of the invention the console parts are U-shaped and they are connected to each other by the free ends of the U-branches.

[0006] According to a third feature of the invention the console parts are attached to each other by means of a telescoping joint comprising locking for setting the joint to a predefined dimension.

[0007] According to a fourth feature of the invention the console parts are formed by a profile having an open cross-section with at least two interconnected flanges.

[0008] According to a fifth feature of the invention the console parts are formed by a profile having a closed cross-section with at least one straight surface.

[0009] According to a sixth feature of the invention the assembly comprises at least one first lining sheet and at least one second lining sheet installed at an elevation defined by the first lining sheet.

[0010] According to a seventh feature of the invention the outer surfaces of the console ring are planar.

[0011] According to an eighth feature of the invention the console ring is a square having corners at right angles..

[0012] According to an eighth feature of the invention the console ring is a triangle with one right angle.

[0013] According to a tenth feature of the invention one side of the console ring is curved.

[0014] More specifically, the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterizing parts of independent claims.

[0015] The various embodiments of the assembly described above achieve considerable advantages.

[0016] The embodiments of the invention produce a system eliminating problems described above. The system can consist of factory-built standardized parts, it allows producing the false ceiling on only the area of the pipe work and, additionally, the system allows supporting the pipe work without separate pipe brackets. With some of the embodiments of the invention the installation of the pipe work is fast and clean in the vicinity of e.g. walls of the room spaces, such as a corner formed by two intersecting walls.

[0017] In construction of houses the room spaces are defined by outer walls and load-bearing intermediate walls. Room spaces can be divided into smaller rooms by means of so-called light intermediate walls. The advantages of light intermediate walls include e.g. their low price and the possibility to move or dismantle them at a later time. Room space can also be divided by means of cabinets without a separate light intermediate wall. In this case the empty space between the cabinet and the ceiling is the problem. Cabinets have their own height that is not similar with that of the room space. Another problem is the sturdiness of the cabinet. Cabinets are designed for installation beside a wall and to be fastened to the wall. Cabinets are not intended as space dividers and they lack the necessary robustness. An intermediate wall must be robust enough to withstand all possible lateral loads. A lateral load can be caused by e.g. somebody leaning or falling against a wall or a cabinet. Some embodiments of the invention make it possible to realize a system allowing cabinets to function as room dividers. The system can consist of factory-made standardized parts.

[0018] Based on the disclosure above it is obvious that the system realized by means of some of the embodiments of the invention is very advantageous and allows both construction of a false ceiling as described above and dividing the room space without a light intermediate wall.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the following some embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings illustrating structures realized by means of the various embodiments of the invention:

figure 1 shows one example of the structure concept realized by means of the invention,

figure 2 shows a detail of one solution realized by means of the invention,

figures 3 to 6 show various structures realized by means of some embodiments of the invention,

figure 7 shows a false ceiling realized by means of one embodiment of the invention,

figure 8 shows one method of telescoping joint suitable for realizing some embodiments of the invention,

figure 9 shows a detail of some embodiments of the invention,

figures 10 and 11 show a step by step description of the installation of some embodiments on the invention,

figures 12 to 14 show a console ring used in some embodiments of the invention,

figures 15 to 19 show various single parts used in some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Figure 1 shows a room space defined by walls 1 and 2. Herein they will be called end wall 2 and side wall 1. A space unit 3 that can be e.g. a prefabricated bathroom unit, is located against end wall 2 and a distance from side wall 1. The space unit 3 is lower than the room space, whereby an empty space is formed between it and the ceiling of the room space. Together with the walls 1 and 2 the space unit 3 defines room 4. The door opening of the room 4 is formed by the side wall 1 and the space unit 3 and a cabinet 5 is located at the place of the door opening. The cabinet 5 can alternatively be a vertical channel realized by means of an assembly according to the invention. In addition, pipe work 6 is located in the room space.

[0021] The empty space between the space unit 3 and the ceiling of the room space and, naturally, the pipe work 6 running in the space do not look pleasant. Thus a false ceiling has been formed in the room 4 for reducing the inner height of the room to correspond with the height of the space unit. Thus the clearance between the space unit 3 and the ceiling of the room space is not visible in the room. The pipe work is arranged in a neat box-type structure inside channel paneling 8. The false ceiling 7 of the roof 4 is realized by means of console rings 9 and T-mouldings 10. Correspondingly the channel paneling 8 is realized by means of console rings 9 and bottom panels 12 and front panels 11. The cabinet 5 is additionally fastened by its upper end/roof to the wall and ceiling of the room space by means of console rings 9. Thus the cabinet is securely supported against lateral forces. This way the cabinet 5 does not fall down and it maintains its shape well even during a long service life.

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates the structure of the cabinet 5, false ceiling 7 of the room 4 and the channel paneling in more detail. On the location of the cabinet 5 the console rings are lowered below the lower surface of the false ceiling 7 and the channel paneling 8 over the roof of the cabinet 5. Thus the cabinet 5 is fastened to the roof of the wall 9 and the room space 1 by means of console rings 9. The console rings located above the cabinet 5 are attached to each other by means of lower moulding 13 covering the clearance between the false ceiling 15 and the channel paneling. The lower moulding can be painted, it can be taped with the desired colour and treated in other ways either before the assembly or after the assembly. The ceiling panels 15 of the false ceiling 7 and the bottom panels 12 of the box-type channel 8 are first installed. The front panels 11 of the channel paneling are installed after that. This allows running the tolerances of the installation and the structure into a roof clearance the width of which remains variable. Now the other parts of the structure are accurately installed and the appearance of the structure is tidy. A possible slight variation of the roof clearance does not catch attention or look untidy. The upper moulding 14 connecting the console rings 9 closes the clearance of the roof clearance and finishes the tidy appearance of the structure.

[0023] In figures 3 and 4 the structure as described above has been arranged to the outer wall and the inner wall. The structures differ in that on the outer wall the bottom paneling 12 and the paneling 16 of the side walls of the cabinet are located at a distance from the wall surface. This clearance is covered by the edge moulding 17. In figure 5 the cabinet 5 has been arranged in connection with the outer wall. A channel paneling extends above the cabinet 5, the front panel 11 of which forms a tidy structure with the lower moulding 13. Figure 5 shows a channel paneling in a free space with a cabinet 5 combined therewith. The console rings 9 and the interconnecting mouldings allow creating a sufficiently rigid structure that, when e.g. attached to the roof, forms a good support by the upper part or the roof of the cabinet. Thus the cabinet 5 or a set of cabinets can be made into a space-dividing wall-like structure supported by its upper part by the channel paneling 8. The structure is rigid enough for allowing the set of cabinets to be of light structure and it can be located at a desired place for the space. The upper part of the cabinet 5 or a set of cabinets can be supported by means of console rings to the desired place regardless of the channel paneling. In this case the console rings are only located at the place of cabinet. Correspondingly the channel paneling can be freely located in other places than beside walls.

[0024] Figure 7 shows the structure of the false ceiling in more detail. With a false ceiling 7, the ceiling of the space (here the room 4) is provided with console rings 9 at a necessary distance from each other and T-mouldings are attached to their corners (figure 16). Thus the console rings 9 and T-mouldings form a rigid ring structure onto which the ceiling panels 15 can be attached. The rigidity of the structure increases if the ceiling panels 15 are rigidly attached to the T-mouldings or the console rings. However, a ring structure realized by means of console rings is sufficiently rigid for allowing the ceiling paneling to be fastened so that the fastening only supports the weight the ceiling panels. The frame structure formed by the console rings and T-mouldings is sufficiently strong to support a load as well. Thus the pipe work or other structures and apparatuses located within the space formed by the false ceiling can be installed directly supported by this frame structure without other supporting structures. This makes installation work faster and easier and reduces the need for parts, as separate line- or apparatus-specific brackets are not needed.

[0025] Figure 8 illustrates the ring structure in more detail. The console rings 9 are formed by two console parts 17, 18. The console parts 17, 18 are steel sheet structures in the shape of a right-angle U with an L- or U-shaped cross-section profile consisting of two or three flanges in right angles against each other. Thus the console parts are bend and rotation rigid in at least two dimensions. The console parts 17, 18 are attached to each other at the ends of their U-branches. In this example the branches of the lower console ring 18 are dimensioned to fit between the flanges 19 of the upper console part 17. This forms a movable telescoping joint by means of which the height of the console ring can be adjusted. Mating grooves 20 are provided at the ends of the U-branches of the console parts 17, 18. Locking screws or other locking means can be installed through these grooves. The locking can also be carried out by making a hole 21 in the upper console part 17. When the console ring is installed, its height is adjusted as desired and a hole is drilled to the U-branch of the lower console part 18 through the hole 21 and a locking screw is installed into the holes. Alternatively a self-tapping screw can be used. This solution is somewhat more work-intensive than locking along the grooves, but it can be advantageous for example when assembling the ring structure at the factory for subsequent installation as a ready unit. The corners of the console rings are provided with triangular corner pieces 22 (figure 19). The corner pieces 22 consist of a triangular body part 23 and flanges 24 formed on both sides of it. The corner pieces 22 allow forming an extension point at the ends of the mouldings 13, 14 connecting the console rings 9. The corner pieces also lengthen the connection point and they also act as reinforcement of the corners of the console rings 9 making the structure more rigid. The console rings 9 are connected to each other by the corners opposite to the ceiling of the room space (their lower corners) by means of L-shaped lower mouldings and by the corners of the ceiling side by means of upper mouldings 14. In principle one connecting moulding is sufficient for providing a three-dimensional ring structure, but increasing the number of mouldings also increases the rigidity of the structure. The upper and lower mouldings also have a function relating to the appearance of the structure, because they can be used for covering the clearances of the structure as has been described above. Thus, a structure with a tidy appearance automatically forms a strong and rigid structure without additional work or parts. Figure 8 shows an installed bottom panel 12 supported by the lower mouldings 13.

[0026] Figure 9 shows in more detail the telescoping joint formed by the branches of the console parts 17, 18 and the groove 20 by means of which the ring structure can be adjusted to fit the actual dimensions of the building by adjusting the height of the console ring. This figure also shows that the ring structure directly supports e.g. the pipe work 9 and separate brackets are not needed for the pipe work. It is also easier to locate the pipe works inside the ring structure rather than to be supported by brackets. The adjustment range of the console ring can be e.g. 75 mm.

[0027] A three-dimensional ring structure formed by the console rings 9 and mouldings 10, 13, 14 can be assembled at the factory as units of desired size and fastened to the building as modules.In this case the installation can be accomplished as shown in figures 10 and 11. The ring structure is first installed suspended from the frame of the building (figure 11) and subsequently the bottom paneling 12 is fastened. The level of the bottom paneling 12 forms the elevation for the edge of the front paneling 11 and any dimension compensations according to the tolerances are moved into the clearance between the front paneling and room space, where they are inconspicuous. The corner of the bottom paneling and the front paneling can, of course, be formed as a desired kind of seam according to the desired appearance of the channel paneling.

[0028] Figures 12 to 15 show a console ring according to some embodiments of the invention. The console ring is formed by two console parts 17, 18, called upper and lower console part for the sake of clarity, even though they can also be installed in either position and in the walls or even the floor in any necessary position. The cross-section profile of the console parts 17, 18 is that of a right-angled letter U, consisting of a web flange 28 and edge flanges 19 extending outwardly therefrom a right angles. The U-branches 25 of the lower console part 18 are dimensioned and shaped so that they fit inside the flanges 19 of the U-branches 16 of the upper console part. This forms a telescoping joint with adjustable length. In this example the U-branches 26 of the upper console part 17 are provided with longitudinal grooves 20 in the web flange and the inner edge flange 24. The lower console part 18 is provided with holes 27 at corresponding places. The console parts can be locked in place by means of screws installed into the holes 27 through the grooves 20. Two grooves allow the locking to be made from two directions. The console parts 17, 18 according to the example can be made of sheet metal by means of stamping and bending, thus being inexpensive to manufacture. The edges of the console parts can be reinforced by means of corner pieces.

[0029] The cross-wise profile of the console parts can be open L-, U-, V-, W- or H-profile or other similar profile. It is essential that the profile has two flange parts angled in relation to each other in order to achieve bending rigidity in more than one direction. The console parts must also be formed into a closed ring structure to ensure sufficient rigidity. The cross-wise profile of the console parts can also be closed, such as square, rectangle, polygon, triangle or the like. In order to fasten the panels and for fastening to the wall at least one wall of the profile in both open and closed profile is advantageously straight so that the fastening can be made onto that surface. The form of the console ring can be square as described above. It is easy to attach straight panels thereto and it is easy to fasten to wall or ceiling. On the other hand, triangular ring form is suitable for making angled surfaces and for curved surfaces at least one of the sides of the ring can correspondingly be curved.

[0030] Figures 16 to 19 show the parts used in some embodiments of the invention and mentioned in the above disclosure, such as upper moulding, T-moulding, L-moulding and a U-moulding arranged in the end of a three-dimensional ring structure or the seam of the paneling.

[0031] The structure described above can be produced at the factory at the desired finishing level from a separate ring module to a finished module. Thus the modules can be manufactured in good and controlled conditions. Installation directly from parts at the construction site is, of course, also possible. The load-bearing ring structure and the panels covering it can be of standard length. The various embodiments allow achieving a good dimensional accuracy, modularity and interchangeability. Especially the surface panels can be replaceable. They can feature images or figures and the inhabitants of the apartment can even print their own pictures and use them on the surface of the panels. The panels can also be display screens, whereby it is easy to vary to overall appearance of the space. The console rings allow anchoring the furniture, they are easy to adjust and due to a suitable cross-wise profile they are also rigid.

[0032] The system according to the invention comprises, for example, the following factory-made sheet metal parts: console, upper moulding, lower moulding and intermediate fastener. The panels forming the surface can also be a part of the system. The console ring consists of two U-formed sheet metal parts that can be interconnected by means of screws and slots. Together the two parts form a rectangular piece, the console ring. The width of the console ring can be standard. Preferably the width is 600 mm. Other standard widths can be, for example, 900 mm and 1200 mm. The height of the console ring can be set during the step of connecting the U-shaped sheet metal parts; the slots allow the screws to be tightened at the desired place. The cross-section profile of the U-shaped sheet metal part can be a C-shape so that a console made of them offers a planar surface for fastening pipes on the inside of the consoles as well as a second planar surface for fastening lining sheets on the outer surface of the console.

[0033] The upper moulding joining the console rings together is, for example, an L-shaped piece formed of sheet metal. The consoles are connected to each other by their upper edges by means of the upper moulding. The lower moulding is an L- or T-shaped piece made of sheet metal. The consoles are connected to each other by their lower edges by means of the lower moulding. Connecting e.g. two consoles to each other by means of two upper mouldings and two lower mouldings forms a strong frame, a three-dimensional ring structure. The frame can be fastened to the ceiling of the room space, the wall of the room space or other frame structures of the building. The frame can be fastened to the wall either vertically or horizontally. A number of frames can be sequentially fastened to each other. The frames are sequentially fastened to each other by means of an intermediate bracket. A number of frames can be fastened to each other in an angle, such as an angle of 90 degrees. A number of frames can be fastened to each other parallelly. When fastening frames parallelly it is advantageous to use a T-shaped moulding as the lower moulding.

[0034] An empty volume is formed inside the frame, into which the pipe work needed for constructing a house can be located. The console ring is formed so that single pipes and leads can be fastened to the console. There no more is a need to fasten the pipes to the ceiling of the room space by means of separate pipe brackets.

[0035] Ceiling lining sheets and wall lining sheets can be fastened to the outer surface of the frame. All building materials known as such can be used as ceiling lining sheets and wall lining sheets. The lower surface of the frame can be arranged together with the upper surface of the cabinet standing on the floor of the room space, and the upper surface of the frame can be fastened to the ceiling of the room space utilizing the adjustment range of the consoles. The frame can be fastened to the upper surface of the cabinet by means of e.g. screws. The side surfaces of the frame can be lined with any plate-like wall lining materials known per se. Some embodiments of the invention make it possible the divide the room space into parts without a separate wall structure, such as without a light intermediate wall.

[0036] The frames make it possible to realize a light intermediate wall structure inside which pipelines can be arranged. Some pipelines, such as ventilation pipes and sewer lines, have too large a diameter to fit inside a conventional light intermediate wall.

[0037] By combining and fastening the frames in various ways it is possible to provide all necessary variations for both fastening and lining the pipelines and for dividing the room space into parts. The formed three-dimensional structure is self-supporting, whereby structures can be formed from it without other load-bearing parts.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0038] At least some embodiments are useful for forming inner structures for buildings.

Claims

1. An assembly for forming a three-dimensional ring structure to be fastened to the frame structure of a building, characterized in that the assembly comprises:

- at least two console rings (9) comprising:

o at least a first console part (17), the cross-sectional profile of which consists of at least two flanges being in connection with each other and angled in relation to each other (28, 19) and having two ends (26),

o at least a second console part (18), the cross-sectional profile of which consists of at least two flanges being in connection with each other and angled in relation to each other (19, 28) and having two ends (25), and

o the ends (25, 26) of at least the first and second console parts (17, 18) are connected together for forming a console ring (9), and

- at least one moulding (10, 13, 14) by means of which the two console rings (9) are attached to each other.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the console parts (17, 18) are U-shaped and they are fastened to each other by the free ends of the U-branches (25, 26).

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the console parts (17, 18) are fastened to each other by a telescoping joint comprising locking (20, 27) for setting the joint in a predefined dimension.

4. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the console parts (17, 18) are formed of a profile having an open cross-section and having at least two interconnected flanges (19, 28).

5. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the console parts (17, 18) are formed of a profile having a closed cross-section with at least one straight surface.

6. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the assembly comprises at least one first lining sheet (12) and at least one second lining sheet (11) installed at the elevation defined by the first lining sheet (12).

7. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outer surfaces of the console ring (9) are planar.

8. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the console ring (9) is a rectangle with corners at right angles.

9. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the console ring (9) is a triangle with one corner at right angle.

10. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the one side of the console ring (9) is curved.

11. A method of forming a three-dimensional ring structure to be fastened to the frame structure of a building, characterized by:

- forming at least two console rings (9) comprising:

- at least a first console part (17), the cross-sectional profile of which consists of at least two flanges (28, 19) being in connection with each other and angled in relation to each other and having two ends (26), and

- at least a second console part (18), the cross-sectional profile of which consists of at least two flanges being in connection with each other and angled in relation to each other (19, 28) and having two ends (25),

- connecting the ends (25, 26) of at least the first and second console parts (17, 18) together for forming a console ring (9), and

- connecting at least two console rings (9) to each other by means of at least one moulding (10,13, 14).

12. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the console parts (17, 18) are connected to each other with a telescoping joint comprising a locking (20, 27) for setting the joint in a predefined dimension and setting the height of the console ring (9) by means of the telescoping joint and locking (20, 27).

13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the assembly is fastened to the structures on the inside of the building.

14. A method according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the assembly comprises at least one first lining sheet (12) and at least one second lining sheet (11) is installed at the elevation defined by the first lining sheet (12).

Drawing