METHOD FOR PRODUCING A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT, AND A STAIRCASE AND A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT AND A STAIRCASE WHICH HAVE BEEN PRODUCED ACCORDING TO THIS METHOD

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for producing a structural element by joining together at least two separately produced parts where at least one part is made of concrete by cutting it from a volume of concrete and where all parts extend over the entire length of the structural element; a method for producing a staircase by joining together at least two separately produced staircase parts, which are cut from a volume of material and extend over the entire length of the staircase, and a structural element and a staircase which have been produced in this way.

Claims

1. Method for producing a structural element which is assembled by joining together and connecting at least two separately produced parts, whereof at least one is made of concrete, wherein each concrete part is cut from a volume of concrete by means of a cutting method, and in that all parts, in the assembled structural element, extend over the entire length of the structural element.

2. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises at least one part which is made of a material other than concrete.

3. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein each part has two flanks extending according to the longitudinal direction of the structural element and having a varying transverse dimension.

4. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1 wherein at least one part, preferably each part, comprises a surface which runs visibly on the surface of the structural element and which is a partial surface of the outer surface of the structural element.

5. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein each part comprises two practically flat flanks and is a slice of the structural element, which slice extends according to the longitudinal direction.

6. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises at least one part made of one of the following materials: a stone such as, for example, marble or blue stone, a wood or wood-based material such as, for example, multiplex, glass, plexiglass, metal, or a plastic.

7. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein the structural element comprises at least one part made of a transparent material.

8. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein the parts are connected to one another by means of a mechanical connecting element and/or a chemical bonding agent, such as a silicon-based copolymer or an epoxy glue or a polyurethane glue.

9. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein each concrete part is cut from a volume of concrete by means of a water jet cutting method, preferably a water jet cutting method using an abrasive.

10. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 2, wherein each part which is not made of concrete is also produced by the use of a cutting technique, such as, for example, a laser cutting method, a plasma cutting method, or a water jet cutting method.

11. Method for producing a structural element according to one of the claim 1, wherein the structural element is a staircase, wherein at least each concrete part comprises a cut surface which is located on the upwardly directed surface of the staircase.

12. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein the weight of each part is no higher than 80 kg, is preferably no higher than 60 kg, is most preferably no higher than 50 kg.

13. Method for producing a structural element according to claim 1, wherein between at least two concrete parts is provided a metal part.

14. Structural element comprising at least two separately produced and mutually connected parts whereof at least one is made of concrete, wherein each concrete part is cut from a volume of concrete by means of a cutting method, and in that all parts, in the assembled structural element, extend over the entire length of the structural element.

15. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein it comprises at least one part which is made of a material other than concrete, preferably of one of the following materials: a stone such as, for example, marble or blue stone, a wood or wood-based material such as, for example, multiplex, glass, plexiglass, metal, or a plastic.

16. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein each part comprises two flanks extending according to the longitudinal direction of the structural element and having a varying transverse dimension.

17. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein at least one part, preferably each part, comprises a surface which runs visibly on the surface of the structural element and which is a partial surface of the outer surface of the structural element.

18. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein each part has two practically flat flanks and is a slice of the structural element, which slice extends according to the longitudinal direction.

19. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein the structural element comprises at least one part made of a light-transmitting material.

20. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein the parts are connected to one another by means of a mechanical connecting element and/or a chemical bonding agent, such as a silicon-based copolymer or an epoxy glue or polyurethane glue.

21. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein the structural element is a staircase, wherein at least each concrete part has a cut surface which is located on the upwardly directed surface of the staircase.

22. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein the weight of each part is no higher than 80 kg, is preferably no higher than 60 kg, is most preferably no higher than 50 kg.

23. Structural element according to claim 14, wherein between at least two concrete parts is provided a metal part.

24. Method for producing a staircase which is assembled by joining together and connecting at least two separately produced staircase parts, wherein each staircase part is cut from a volume of material by means of a cutting method, and in that all staircase parts in the assembled staircase, extend over the entire length thereof.

25. Method for producing a staircase according to claim 24, wherein each staircase part has two flanks extending according to the longitudinal direction of the staircase.

26. Method for producing a staircase according to claim 25, wherein each staircase part has two practically flat flanks and is a slice of the staircase, which slice extends according to the longitudinal direction.

27. Method for producing a staircase according to claim 24, wherein the staircase comprises staircase parts made of different materials, wherein the staircase comprises staircase parts made of two or more of the following materials: concrete, a stone such as, for example, marble or blue stone, wood, a wood-based material such as, for example, multiplex, glass, plexiglass, metal, or a plastic.

28. Method for producing a staircase according to claim 24, wherein the staircase comprises at least one staircase part made of a transparent material.

29. Method for producing a staircase according to claim 24, wherein the staircase parts are connected to one another by means of a mechanical connecting element and/or a chemical bonding agent, such as a silicon-based copolymer or an epoxy glue or polyurethane glue.

30. Method for the producing a staircase according to claim 24, wherein each staircase part is produced by means of a cutting method, such as, for example, a laser cutting method, a plasma cutting method, or a water jet cutting method.

31. Method for producing a staircase, according to claim 24, wherein at least one staircase part, preferably each staircase part, comprises a surface which, in the assembled staircase, runs visibly on the surface of the staircase and is a partial surface of the outer surface of the staircase.

32. Method for producing a staircase according to claim 24, wherein the weight of each staircase part is no higher than 80 kg, preferably no higher than 60 kg, most preferably no higher than 50 kg.

33. Method for producing a staircase according to claim 24, wherein between at least two concrete staircase parts is provided a metal staircase part.

34. Staircase comprising at least two separately produced staircase parts, wherein each staircase part has been cut from a volume of material by means of a cutting method, and in that all staircase parts, in the assembled staircase, extend over the entire length thereof.

35. Staircase according to claim 34, wherein each staircase part has two flanks extending according to the longitudinal direction of the staircase.

36. Staircase according to claim 35, wherein each staircase part has two practically flat flanks and is a slice of the staircase, which slice extends according to the longitudinal direction.

37. Staircase according to claim 34, wherein the staircase comprises staircase parts made of different materials, wherein the staircase comprises staircase parts made of two or more of the following materials: concrete, a stone such as, for example, marble or blue stone, wood, a wood-based material such as, for example, multiplex, glass, plexiglass, metal, or a plastic.

38. Staircase according to claim 34, wherein the staircase comprises at least one staircase part made of a light-transmitting material.

39. Staircase according to claim 34, wherein the staircase parts are connected to one another by means of a mechanical connecting element and/or a chemical bonding agent, such as a silicon-based copolymer or an epoxy glue or polyurethane glue.

40. Staircase according to claim 34, wherein at least one staircase part preferably each staircase part, comprises a surface, which, in the assembled staircase, runs visibly on the surface of the staircase and is a partial surface of the outer surface of the staircase, wherein this partial surface traverses uninterruptedly at least the entire length of the structural element.

41. Staircase, according to claim 34, wherein each staircase part comprises a cut surface which is visible on the top surface of the staircase placed in a usage position.

42. Staircase according to claim 34, wherein the weight of each staircase part is no higher than 80 kg, is preferably no higher than 60 kg, is most preferably no higher than 50 kg.

43. Staircase according to claim 34, wherein between at least two concrete staircase parts is provided a metal staircase part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0096] In this description, reference is made by means of reference numerals to the accompanying figures, whereof

[0097] FIG. 1 shows a closed staircase having five steps assembled from three concrete staircase parts and two marble staircase parts, in perspective view,

[0098] FIG. 2 shows a closed staircase having five steps assembled from two concrete staircase parts and one wooden staircase part, in perspective view,

[0099] FIG. 3 shows the concrete staircase part of the three-part staircase of FIG. 2, in perspective view, and

[0100] FIG. 4 shows a closed staircase assembled from eight marble staircase parts, in perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0101] The staircase represented in FIG. 1 is a closed staircase having five steps and assembled from three identical staircase parts (A1), (A2), (A3) made of concrete and two identical staircase parts (B1), (B2) made of marble. All staircase parts are those cut out of a volume of material by means of a water jet cutting method using quartz sand. The concrete staircase parts (A1), (A2), (A3) are cut from a beam-shaped concrete block having two parallel surfaces which are distanced apart with a spacing (d1). The material is here cut through over the full thickness (d1) in a direction perpendicular to the parallel surfaces.

[0102] The marble staircase parts (B1), (B2) have been cut from a beam-shaped block of marble having two parallel surfaces which are distanced apart with a spacing (d2). The material is here cut through over the full thickness (d2) in a direction perpendicular to the parallel surfaces.

[0103] Each staircase part consequently has two identical flat flanks (1), which extend parallel to one another, and a transverse surface (2), which is directed perpendicular to these flanks (1) and is obtained by cutting the staircase part from the volume of material and in this patent application is referred to as a cut surface. The transverse surface (2) encloses each staircase slice and defines the shape thereof. On the one side, the transverse surface (2) forms five steps consisting of surfaces which adjoin one another at a right angle and, on the other side, a flat wall. All staircase parts have a practically identical cross section according to the longitudinal direction (L). The flanks (1) of each staircase part (A1), (A2), (A3), (B1), (B2) have a transverse dimension (w1), (w2) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L1) which varies according to the longitudinal direction (L1) of the flank (1).

[0104] The concrete staircase parts (A1), (A2), (A3) have a weight of 80 kg and the marble staircase parts (B1), (B2) have a weight of 40 kg, so that these are easily movable by two persons.

[0105] The staircase parts (A1), (A2), (A3), (B1), (B2) are placed side by side at the construction site by two persons, wherein, alternately, a concrete staircase slice and a marble staircase slice is provided. The width (d1) which is occupied by the concrete staircase parts (A1), (A2), (A3) is wider than the width (d2) which is occupied by the marble staircase parts (B1), (B2). After a polyurethane glue has been applied to the flanks (1), the staircase parts (A1), (A2), (A3), (B1), (B2) are installed with the flanks (1) one against another, wherein they are firmly connected to one another by the glue to form a rigid and stable entity. In the thus assembled staircase, all staircase parts (A1), (A2), (A3), (B1), (B2) extend according to the longitudinal direction (L) of the staircase over the entire length (m) thereof. Finally, the staircase is also at the top and bottom anchored and integrated into the surrounding structure of the building.

[0106] The transverse surfaces (2) of the different staircase slices (A1), (A2), (A3), (B1), (B2) here form uninterrupted strips which extend, side by side and butting one against another, on the top side and underside of the staircase over the entire length (m) of the staircase. Through the combination of visible transverse surfaces (2) of the concrete staircase parts, alternated with visible marble transverse surfaces (2), wherein concrete and marble, with their respective typical surface structure and colour, form an attractive contrast, a staircase having a particularly original and varied look is obtained. The transverse surfaces (2) of the staircase parts are cut surfaces and consequently have a look different from the concrete surface of the flanks (1), which surfaces are not a cut surface, thereby ensuring an additional variation in the look of the staircase.

[0107] The staircase represented in FIG. 2 is a closed staircase having five steps, assembled from two identical staircase parts (C1), (C2) made of concrete and one staircase part (D) made of oak wood. The concrete staircase parts (C1), (C2) have been cut out of a beam-shaped volume of concrete, having a uniform thickness (d3), by means of a water jet cutting method using quartz sand.

[0108] The wooden staircase part (D) has been cut from a beam-shaped volume of oak wood, having a uniform thickness (d4), by means of a water jet cutting method using quartz sand. The thickness (d3) of the volume of concrete and the thickness (d4) of the volume of oak wood are practically equal. The material is here cut through over the full thickness (d3), (d4) in a direction perpendicular to the parallel surfaces which delimit the volume of material.

[0109] Each staircase part (C1), (C2), (D) has an identical cross section in the longitudinal direction (L) and has two identical flat flanks (11), which extend parallel to one another, and a transverse surface (12)—a cut surface—directed perpendicular to these flanks (11), which, on the one side, forms five steps consisting of surfaces which adjoin one another at a right angle and, on the other side, a flat wall.

[0110] The flanks (11) of each staircase part (C1), (C2), (D) have a transverse dimension (w1), (w2), perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L1), which varies according to the longitudinal direction (L1) of the flank (11).

[0111] The staircase parts (C1), (C2) made of concrete have a weight of 50 kg and the staircase part (D) made of oak wood has a weight of 20 kg, so that these are easily movable by two persons.

[0112] The staircase parts (C1), (C2), (D) are placed side by side at the construction site by two persons, with the flanks (11) butting one against another. The wooden staircase slice (D) is here located centrally between the two concrete staircase parts (C1), (C2). The concrete staircase parts (C1), (C2) and the wooden staircase part (D) have practically the same width (d3), (d4). The staircase parts (C1), (C2), (D) are firmly connected to one another at the installation site by means of an epoxy glue, to form a rigid and stable entity. In the thus assembled staircase, all staircase parts extend according to the longitudinal direction (L) of the staircase over the entire length (m) thereof. Finally, the staircase is also at the top and bottom anchored and integrated into the surrounding structure of the building.

[0113] The transverse surfaces (12) of the different staircase parts (C1), (C2), (D) here form uninterrupted strips, which extend, side by side and butting one against another, on the top side and underside of the staircase over the entire length (m) of the staircase. Through the combination of visible transverse surfaces (12) made of concrete and the visible transverse surface (12) made of oak wood, wherein concrete and oak wood form with their respective typical surface structure and colour a surprisingly fine combination, a staircase having a particularly original and varied look is obtained. The transverse surfaces (12) of the staircase parts (C1), (C2), (D) are cut surfaces and consequently have a look different from the concrete surface of the flanks (11), which surfaces are not a cut surface, thereby ensuring an additional variation in the look of the staircase.

[0114] In FIG. 3 is represented only one of the concrete staircase parts (C1) of FIG. 2.

[0115] In FIG. 4 is represented a staircase which is assembled from eight identical staircase parts (E1)-(E8) made of beech wood. For the production of these staircase parts, a water jet cutting method without use of abrasive particles is adopted. The staircase parts are cut from a beam-shaped volume of beech wood having a uniform thickness (d5). As a result of their small width, the separate staircase parts are very light and easy to handle, whereby this staircase is easily transported and positioned by two persons.

[0116] The beech wood is here cut through over the full thickness (d5) in a direction perpendicular to the parallel surfaces which delimit the volume of oak wood.

[0117] Each staircase part (E1)-(E8) has an identical cross section in the longitudinal direction (L) and has two identical flat flanks (21), which extend parallel to one another, and a transverse surface (22) directed perpendicular to these flanks (21)—a cut surface—which, on the one side, forms five steps consisting of surfaces which adjoin one another at a right angle and, on the other side, a flat wall. The flanks (21) of each staircase part (E1)-(E8) have a transverse dimension (w1), (w2) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L1), which varies according to the longitudinal direction (L1) of the flank (1).

[0118] The staircase parts (C1), (C2) have a weight of 15 kg, so that these are easily movable by one or two persons.

[0119] The staircase parts are placed side by side at the construction site by two persons, with the flanks (21) butting one against another. All staircase parts (E1)-(E8) have practically the same width (d5). The staircase parts (E1)-(E8) are firmly connected to one another at the installation site by means of an epoxy glue to form a rigid and stable entity. In the thus assembled staircase, all staircase parts (E1)-(E8) extend according to the longitudinal direction (L) of the staircase over the entire length (m) thereof.

[0120] Finally, the staircase is also, at the top and bottom, anchored and integrated into the surrounding structure of the building.

[0121] The transverse surfaces (22) of the different staircase parts (E1)-(E8) here form uninterrupted strips, which side by side and butting one against another, extend on the top side and underside of the staircase over the entire length (m) of the staircase. As a result of the look of uninterrupted transverse surfaces (22)—cut surfaces—of beech wood staircase parts, which extend side by side over the entire length (m) of the staircase, a staircase having a particularly original look is obtained. Because the transverse surfaces (22) are cut surfaces and consequently have a look different from the surface of the flanks (1), which surfaces are not a cut surface, variation in the look of the staircase is obtained.

[0122] Moreover, all staircases represented in the figures are produced according to a fully automatable process at a relatively low production cost, wherein, for the concrete staircase parts, no formwork has to be provided.

[0123] The use of a water jet cutting method is here particularly advantageous and, moreover, allows the look of the cut surface to be altered by adapting the speed. Of course, the speed must also be determined as a function of the desired production speed and the desired quality of the cut surface. In addition, other parameters of the water cutting device must also be determined, such as, for example, the pressure of the water jet and the dimensions of the spray head, which are determinant for the flow velocity of the water jet and any abrasive particles. These parameters are determined empirically during one or more test productions.