Building structure and method of erecting it
AssigneeHypertat Corporation
InventorEdward L. Bakewell, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An easily transported and erected building structure formed of polystyrene foam blocks. The blocks are reinforced and held together by tension rods extending through the blocks and attached to connector boards between the blocks. Complex, habitable, highly energy-efficient structures are easily assembled and reassembled in various configurations by two workers without special skills or lifting equipment.
Claims16
A building structure comprising a plurality of structural plastic foam blocks, each block having a height and a width both greater than its thickness;
- a top plate on an upper face of each block;
- a bottom plate on a lower face of each block;
- tension elements extending from the top plate to the bottom plate, the tension elements attaching the blocks vertically to each other;
- and weatherproof tape means covering seams between the blocks.
A method of erecting a building structure comprising a plurality of voussoirs stacked to form at least a half-arch;
- the method comprising a first step of stacking a second plastic foam block on a generally vertical first plastic foam block with a first attachment means between the blocks, releasably securing the second foam block to the first foam block, thereafter a third step of stacking a third plastic foam block on the second plastic foam block with a second attachment means between the blocks, and thereafter a fourth step of releasably securing the third foam block to the second foam block to form at least a partial arch.
A method of erecting a building structure comprising a first step of positioning a first module in a desired position, the module having an upper face and a lower face, a second step of tightening tensioning means extending from the upper face to the lower face of the first module to place the first module in compression, a third step of mounting a second module above the first module, the second module having an upper face and a lower face, and a fourth step of tightening tensioning means extending from the upper face to the lower face of the second module to place the second module in compression, the first module and the second module being separated by a plate, the second step comprising tightening tension rods extending through the plate, and the fourth step comprising tightening tension rods into threaded openings in the plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.