Construction unit for a frame

Abstract

Construction unit (1) for building up a frame (2), wherein the frame (2) comprises at least two girders (3a, 3b) and multiple uprights (4), wherein the construction unit (1) comprises a first construction profile (4), a second construction profile (5) and a third construction profile (6), wherein the first construction profile (4) is provided to serve as an upright (4) and the second and the third construction profile (5, 6) are each provided to be part of a respective girder (3a, 3b), wherein each construction unit (1) is provided to form only one upright (4) of a frame (2) and that multiple such construction units (1) are provided to be successively interconnected so that the first construction profiles (4) of successively construction units (1) extend at a distance from one another.

Claims

1. A construction unit for building up a frame that has at least two girders extending opposite one another and multiple uprights interconnecting the at least two girders, the construction unit comprising: a first construction profile, a second construction profile and a third construction profile, wherein the second construction profile and the third construction profile are each respectively connected to an end part of the first construction profile, wherein the first construction profile is provided to serve as an upright, wherein the second construction profile is provided to be part of at least a first girder in the at least two girders, wherein the third construction profile is provided to be part of at least a second girder in the at least two girders, wherein the construction unit comprises a single member having a first construction profile, a single member having a second construction profile, and a single member having a third construction profile, so that the construction unit is provided to form only one upright of the frame, that the second and the third construction profile each comprise a first and a second end extending opposite each other, wherein, in use, the first and the second ends of both the second and the third construction profiles extend at a distance from the first construction profile and are free ends, the free ends configured to enable successive interconnection of the construction unit with one or more further construction units so that a first end of the second construction profile of the construction unit is connected to a second end of the second construction profile of at least one of the one or more further construction units and that a first end of the third construction profile of the construction unit is connected to a second end of the third construction profile of the at least one of the one or more further construction units, so that the first construction profile of the construction unit extends at a distance from the at least one of the one or more further construction units, wherein the second construction profile is hingeably connected to the first construction profile between at least a first position, wherein the second construction profile virtually extends according to the first construction profile and the second position, wherein the second construction profile virtually makes an angle of 90° to the first construction profile, and wherein the first construction profile is elongated and comprises two profile parts slidable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction of the first construction profile, so that a length of the first construction profile is settable.

2. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the third construction profile is hingeably connected to the first construction profile between at least a first position, wherein the third construction profile virtually extends according to the first construction profile and the second position, wherein the third construction profile virtually makes an angle of 90° to the first construction profile.

3. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second ends of the second construction profile are built up such that the first and the second ends of second construction profiles of the one or more further construction units are engageable into one another for connection of the one or more further construction units.

4. The construction unit according to claim 3, wherein the first and the second ends of the third construction profile are built up such that the first and the second ends of third construction profiles of the one or more further construction units are engageable into one another for connection of the one or more further construction units.

5. The construction unit according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the second and/or the third construction profile comprises a cavity and the second end of the second and/or the third construction profile comprises one or more clamping elements or vice versa, wherein the one or more clamping elements are snappably receivable in the cavity.

6. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the construction unit operatively virtually extends according to a plane and the first construction profile has an H-shaped or a U-shaped cross section across virtually a complete length of the first construction profile, so that the first construction profile comprises two opposite U-shaped gutters or one U-shaped gutter, wherein each said gutter is accessible via an opening extending virtually perpendicularly to the plane.

7. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the second and/or the third construction profile has a U-shaped cross section, so that the second and/or the third construction profile comprises a U-shaped gutter, wherein at least one of the end parts of the first construction profile is provided in the gutter for connection of the first construction profile to the second and/or the third construction profile.

8. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the construction unit operatively virtually extends according to a plane and the first construction profile has an H-shaped or a U-shaped cross section across virtually a complete length of the first construction profile, so that the first construction profile comprises two opposite U-shaped gutters or one U-shaped gutter, wherein each said gutter is accessible via an opening extending virtually perpendicularly to the plane, and wherein a width of the U-shaped gutter is larger than a corresponding dimension of a portion of the first construction profile extending in proximity of at least one of the end parts, and that, in the first position, the portion extends in the U-shaped gutter.

9. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second ends of the second construction profiles of the further construction units are snappably interconnectable and/or the first and the second ends of third construction profiles of the further construction units are snappably interconnectable.

10. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the second construction profile is connected to the first construction profile at a height of the second end of the second construction profile and/or the third construction profile is connected to the first construction profile at a height of the second end of the third construction profile.

11. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein, viewed in a direction of the first construction profile and in use, the first and the second ends of the second construction profile extend on both a first and a second side of the first construction profile and the first and the second ends of the second construction profile each extends at a distance of the first construction profile and/or the first and the second ends of the third construction profile extend on both a first and a second side of the first construction profile and the first and the second ends of the third construction profile each extends at a distance of the first construction profile.

12. A frame for a wall, comprising multiple construction units successively interconnected, wherein each of the multiple construction units is a construction unit according to claim 1.

13. A method of building up a frame, wherein multiple construction units are provided, wherein each of the multiple construction units is a construction unit according to claim 1, and wherein the multiple construction units are successively interconnected.

14. The construction unit according to claim 1, wherein the first construction profile is not interconnected with any of the first construction profiles of the one or more further construction units.

Description

(1) In this detailed description, reference numerals are used to refer to the appended drawings, wherein

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a construction unit according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the construction unit is in a first operative position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the construction unit shown in FIG. 1, wherein the construction unit is in the first operative position;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of the construction unit shown in FIG. 1, during lengthening of the first construction profile;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective representation of the construction unit shown in FIG. 1, during lengthening of the first construction profile;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front view of the construction unit shown in FIG. 1, during placing of the construction unit;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective representation of the construction unit shown in FIG. 1, during placing of the construction unit;

(8) FIG. 7 is a front view of the construction unit shown in FIG. 1, wherein the construction unit is in a transport position;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective representation of the construction unit shown in FIG. 1, wherein the construction unit is in the transport position;

(10) FIG. 9 is a front view of a frame according to the invention comprising multiple construction units as shown in FIGS. 1-8, during building up of the frame;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective representation of the frame show in FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective representation of two construction units according to the first embodiment, during interconnection of these construction units;

(13) FIG. 12 is a detailed perspective representation of two construction units according to the first embodiment, during further interconnection of these construction units;

(14) FIG. 13 is a detailed perspective representation of two construction units according to the first embodiment, after they have been interconnected;

(15) FIG. 14 is a further detailed view of what has been shown in FIG. 11;

(16) FIG. 15 is a further detailed view of what has been shown in FIG. 12;

(17) FIG. 16 is a further detailed view of what has been shown in FIG. 13;

(18) FIG. 17 is a front view of a frame according to the invention comprising multiple construction units according to a second embodiment of the invention, during building up of the frame;

(19) FIG. 18 is a perspective representation of what has been shown in FIG. 17;

(20) FIG. 19 is a front view of a construction unit according to the second embodiment, wherein the construction unit is in a first operative position;

(21) FIG. 20 is a perspective representation of the construction unit shown in FIG. 19, wherein the construction unit is in the first operative position;

(22) FIG. 21 is a front view of the construction unit shown in FIG. 19, during placing of the construction unit;

(23) FIG. 22 is a perspective representation of the construction unit shown in FIG. 19, during placing of the construction unit;

(24) FIG. 23 is a front view of the construction unit shown in FIG. 19, wherein the construction unit is in a transport position;

(25) FIG. 24 is a perspective representation of the construction unit shown in FIG. 19, wherein the construction unit is in the transport position.

(26) The construction units (1) as shown in FIG. 1-8 are used to form a frame (2) of an inner wall. In FIGS. 9 and 10, such a frame (2) is shown during building up thereof. In FIGS. 11-16 the connection between two construction units (1) is shown in detail. Above-mentioned figures show a first type of standard construction unit (1). FIGS. 17-24 show a second type of a standard construction unit (1).

(27) Each construction unit (1) comprises one first construction profile (4), one second construction profile (5) and one third construction profile (6). Each first construction profile (4) is elongated and has a U-shaped cross section. Further, the first construction profile (4) is built up from two profile parts (8a, 8b) with a U-shaped cross section. These two profile parts (8a, 8b) are telescopically slidable relative to each other. The one profile part (8a) is designed to be slightly wider than the other profile part (8b), so that the other profile part (8b) is slidably receivable in the one profile part (8a). The first construction profile (4) further comprises a snap fastener (12) to fix the two profile parts (8a, 8b) with respect to each other. The second and the third construction profile (5, 6) are each respectively connected to an end part of the first construction profile (4). This specifically means that the second construction profile (5) is connected to the one profile part (8a) while the third construction profile (6) is connected to the other said profile part (8b).

(28) The length, the shape and the dimensions of the second construction profile (5) virtually correspond to the length, the shape and the dimensions of the third construction profile (6). The second and the third construction profile (5, 6) have a virtually U-shaped cross section and therefore have a U-shaped gutter. Further, they have a first end which does not deviate from the U-shape and therefore comprises a cavity (9a, 9b) and they also have a second end located opposite this first end, wherein this second end comprises two clamping elements (10a, 10b) extending in the longitudinal direction of the second and the third construction profile (5, 6), respectively. With the first type, each end part of the construction profile (4) is received centrally and therefore at a virtually equal distance from the first and the second end in the gutter of the second and the third construction profile (5, 6), respectively, and this according to a connection (7a, 7b) allowing a rotation of the second and the third construction profile (5, 6), respectively, relative to the first construction profile (4). With each second type, each end part of the first construction profile (4) is, at the height of the second end, received in the gutter of the second and the third construction profile (5, 6), respectively and this according to a connection (7a, 7b) allowing a rotation of the second and the third construction profile (5, 6), respectively, relative to the first construction profile (4). With both types, the first ends and the second ends extend on both sides of the first construction profile (4) in use.

(29) Since the second and the third construction profile (5, 6) are rotatably connected to the first construction profile (4) and the length of the first construction profile (4) is adjustable, the construction unit (1) may assume many different positions. Thus, the construction unit (1) may assume a first position, wherein the construction unit (1) takes up a minimum volume so that this first position is mainly used to transport and/or to stock the construction unit (1). This first position is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and in FIGS. 23 and 24. The length of the first construction profile (4) is minimal here and both the second and the third construction profile (5, 6) extend according to the first construction profile (4). The portions of the profile parts (8a, 8b) at the height of the end parts extend in the gutter of the second and the third construction profile (5, 6), respectively. This is possible because the second and the third construction profile (5, 6) are slightly wider than the respective profile parts (8a, 8b). Since, with the second type, the second and the third construction profile (5, 6) extend virtually completely around the first construction profile (4) in the first position, this second type is more compact in the first position than the first type.

(30) A second position is a position of use wherein the length of the first construction profile (4) is not minimal and both the second and the third construction profile (5, 6) make an angle of virtually 90° to the first construction profile (4). In this second position, the construction unit (1) has a I-shape for the first type and a [-shape for the second type. This second position is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in FIGS. 19 and 20. In FIGS. 3-6 and in FIGS. 21 and 22, positions are shown which the construction unit (1) temporarily assumes during the conversion from the first position to the second position. Thus, in FIG. 3, it is, for example, visible that the snap fastener (12) has not been tightened yet.

(31) Such construction units (1) are used to form a frame (2) for a wall, such as a facing wall or a non-bearing partition. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and in FIGS. 17 and 18, different construction units (1) are successively interconnected for this. FIGS. 9 and 10 show how such a frame (2) is placeable between a floor (13) and a ceiling (14) both extending horizontally. However, this frame (2) may, for example, also be placed under a sloping ceiling.

(32) For the sake of simplicity, the placement of the frame (2) is discussed with reference to the FIGS. 9-16 showing the first type. Building up a frame (2) using the second type is similar. To build up the frame (2), for example, a first construction unit (1) is placed against a side wall, interconnecting the floor (13) and the ceiling (14), such that the second and the third construction profile (5, 6) virtually contact the side wall and each make an angle of virtually 90° to this side wall and that the first construction profile (4) is located at a distance from the side wall. A part of the second and/or the third construction profile (5, 6) may be removed for this in advance. When the construction units (1) are delivered, they are usually in the position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In order to place the construction units (1), for example first a first construction unit (1) will be brought into a position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Then, the second construction profile (5) of this first construction unit (1) will be placed on the floor (13) so that the second construction profile (5) will rotate until it makes an angle of virtually 90° to the first construction profile (4) and virtually leans against the floor (13). Then the third construction profile (6) is also rotated and the snap fastener (12) is opened so that the first construction profile (4) may be lengthened. FIG. 4 shows which position the construction unit (1) may assume here. During the lengthening of the first construction profile and therefore during bringing the other said profile part (8b) upwards, the third construction profile (6) will contact the ceiling (14) and will rotate until the third construction profile (6) completely leans against the ceiling (14) and an angle of virtually 90° is made to the first construction profile (4) and the construction unit (1) is clamped between the floor (13) and the ceiling (14). Then, the snap fastener (12) is closed again, so that the profile parts (8a, 8b) can no longer slide relative to each other.

(33) Then a second construction unit (1) is connected to the already placed first construction unit (1). Thus, for example, the second construction profile (5) of the second construction unit (1) will connect to the second construction profile (5) of the first construction unit (1) and this is done by clamping the clamping elements (10a) in the cavity (9a) of the first end of the second construction profile (5) of the first construction unit (1). How this is done is shown in steps in FIGS. 11-16. Each clamping element (10a) comprises a bent lip (11) to simplify the connection. After both second construction profiles (5) have been interconnected and they are located on the floor (13), the first construction profile (4) of the second construction unit (1) may be lengthened by opening the snap fastener (as shown in FIG. 4). As a result of this lengthening, the clamping elements (10b) of the third construction profile (6) of the second construction unit (1) will be provided in the first end of the third construction profile (6) of the first construction unit (1), so that the third construction profiles (6) are interconnected and the third construction profile (6) of the second construction unit (1) also virtually leans against the ceiling (14). In the same manner, also a third construction unit (1) is provided and connected to the second construction unit (1), etc., until a last construction unit (1) is located against a second side wall extending opposite the first side wall. Optionally, a part of the second and/or the third construction profile (5, 6) of the last construction unit (1) may be removed so that the frame (2) fits nicely between the said side walls.

(34) After all construction units (1) have been placed, the frame (2) is preferably finished further with additional profiles. Eventually, then a frame (2) is obtained with one girder (3a) connected to the floor (13), one girder (3b) connected to the ceiling (14) and multiple uprights (4), wherein the first construction profiles (4) and any additional profiles form the uprights (4). To be able to connect the girders (3a, 3b) to the floor (13) and the ceiling (14), respectively, hook-and-loop fasteners may be provided, wherein then a first side of the hook-and-loop fasteners is provided against the floor (13)/the ceiling (14) and each second respective third construction profile (5, 6) comprises a second side of the hook-and-loop fasteners. With the aid of the additional profiles, a frame (2) consisting of multiple rectangular parts may simply be provided, onto which standard rectangular wall elements, such as MDF boards or plasterboards may be placed and connected for forming a wall. Thus, for example, one additional profile may be connected to each construction unit (1) located immediately next to a said side wall, so that also a profile extends next to the said side wall. In this manner, a wall element may simply be connected to the frame (2) at the height of the side wall. When the side wall shows imperfections or is not at right angles, the wall element may then be cut to shape. Prior to connecting the wall elements to the built-up frame (2), insulating material such as glass wool may be placed between the construction units (1). This may simply be done since all construction profiles (4, 5, 6) have a U-shaped cross section.