Element structure and process for assembling same
OwnerSiegmar Kohlenbrennerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Element structures are assembled from separately formed modular elements. Incorporated in the modular elements are stressing members, for example, connecting rods or the like, which can be aligned when the modular elements are positioned for installation. The adjacent connecting rods are secured to a coupling by means of which the rods can be tensioned and the entire assembly braced and rigidified. Tensile or compressive forces, due to elongation and shrinkage, are transmitted to and absorbed by the stressing members. The separate modular elements can be easily assembled or disassembled. The element structure has numerous uses, for example, in prefabricated wall or ceiling construction, in the manufacture of tiled stoves, and the like.
Claims30
A process for the erection of a structure made of prefabricated modular elements, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing prefabricated modular elements of appropriate configurations and sizes, each modular element containing a tensioning element positioned therein to be concealed from viewing upon assembly of the structure;
- (b) provide tightening members and coupling pieces to cooperatively apply tension to the tensioning elements as the structure is assembled and, thereby, to relieve the modular elements from tension;
- (c) placing the coupling pieces on the tightening members, the tightening members being positioned to fit between the tensioning elements;
- (d) erecting the structure by individually placing the modular elements against each other in abutting relationship, the placing of each modular elements being determined by the configuration of the structure to be assembled;
- (e) continually placing the tensioning elements under tension as the structure is assembled, the tensioning elements cooperating with the tightening members and coupling pieces positioned between the tensioning elements to provide said tension;
- (f) creating openings within the structure exactly sized to received each modular element, including a final modular element, said openings remaining constant in size regardless of expansion or shrinking of the modular elements or the tensioning elements;
- and
- (g) inserting the final modular element into position in the structure from any open side of the last opening.
A modular structure, comprising:
- prefabricated modular elements positioned in abutting relationship with each other to define the exterior configuration of the structure;
- tensioning elements for receiving and transmitting tension forces within the structure and thereby relieving the modular elements from tension, each modular element having a tensioning element therein, the tensioning elements being concealed from view when the modular elements are positioned within the structure;
- and
- tightening members and coupling pieces cooperating with the tensioning elements to effect said tensioning, the coupling pieces bracing the tightening members to each other, the coupling pieces being arranged in the modular element before the associated modular elements are fitted into the structure;
- wherein, the structure, as a result of the tightening members, retains its configuration as modular elements are added thereto, the tensioning of the structure being transferred to the tensioning elements, the structure having an exactly fitting opening for insertion of the last modular element therein from any open side of the last opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.