STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ADJACENT BLOCKS THAT ARE LINKED AND TIGHTENED TO ONE ANOTHER

Abstract

The invention relates to a structural assembly (10) including a plurality of adjacent blocks connected together, comprising: a first block (12) having a first side (12a) and a second side (12b); a second block (14) having a first side (14a) and a second side (14b), the second side (12b) of the first block (12) bearing against the first side (14a) of the second block (14); a first assembly device (20) connecting the first and second blocks (12, 14) together, the first assembly device (20) being entirely housed in the first and second blocks, the first assembly device (20) being tensioned so as to compress the first and second blocks (12, 14) against each other.

Claims

1. A structural assembly including a plurality of adjacent blocks connected together, said structural assembly comprising at least: a first block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; a second block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the second side of the first block bearing against the first side of the second block; a first assembly device connecting the first and second blocks together, the first assembly device being entirely housed in the first and second blocks while being mounted to the first and second blocks, the first assembly device being tensioned so as to compress the first and second blocks against each other; a third block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first side of the third block bearing against the second side of the second block; a second assembly device connecting the second and third blocks together and being entirely housed in the second and third blocks while being mounted to the second and third blocks, the second assembly device being tensioned so as to compress the second and third blocks against each other, wherein the second assembly device is parallel and non-coaxial with the first assembly device.

2. The structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first assembly device comprises a first connecting rod and at least one first pressing member, in which the first connecting rod comprises a first part fixed in the first block and a second part extending into the second block, said first pressing member being engaged with the second part of the first connecting rod while being pressed in the second block so as to compress the first and second blocks against each other.

3. The structural assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first pressing member is a nut screwed to the first connecting rod.

4. The structural assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second block comprises a first hole which opens out into the second side of the second block, and wherein the first pressing member is located in the first hole.

5. The structural assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first hole of the second block has a shoulder against which the first pressing member comes into abutment.

6. The structural assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first part of the first connecting rod is sealed in the first block.

7. The structural assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first block includes a first hole disposed in the continuity of the first hole of the second block and opening out into the first side of the first block, and wherein the first part of the first connecting rod is fixed in the first hole of the first block.

8. The structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second side of the first block and the first side of the second block are non-planar and engaged with each other in a form-fitting manner.

9. The structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second assembly device comprises a second connecting rod and a second pressing member, wherein the second connecting rod comprises a first part fixed in the second block and a second part extending into the third block, said second pressing member being engaged with the second part of the second connecting rod while being pressed in the third block so as to compress the second and third blocks against each other.

10. The structural assembly according to claim 8, further comprising at least: a fourth block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first side of the fourth block bearing against the second side of the third block, while the first side of the third block is bearing against the second side of the second block; a third assembly device connecting the third and fourth blocks together, the third assembly device being entirely housed in the third and fourth blocks while being mounted to the third and fourth blocks, the third assembly device being tensioned so as to compress the third and fourth blocks against each other.

11. The structural assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first and third assembly devices are coaxial.

12. A wall including a structural assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent blocks connected together, said structural assembly comprising at least: a first block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; a second block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the second side of the first block bearing against the first side of the second block; a first assembly device connecting the first and second blocks together, the first assembly device being entirely housed in the first and second blocks while being mounted to the first and second blocks, the first assembly device being tensioned so as to compress the first and second blocks against each other; a third block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first side of the third block bearing against the second side of the second block; a second assembly device connecting the second and third blocks together and being entirely housed in the second and third blocks while being mounted to the second and third blocks, the second assembly device being tensioned so as to compress the second and third blocks against each other, wherein the second assembly device is parallel and non-coaxial with the first assembly device.

13. The wall according to claim 12, further including a central structure consisting of central blocks juxtaposed to each other and surrounded by the structural assembly.

14. The wall according to claim 13, wherein some of the central blocks include non-horizontal and/or non-vertical interfaces.

15. A beam including a structural assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent blocks connected together, said structural assembly comprising at least: a first block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; a second block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the second side of the first block bearing against the first side of the second block; a first assembly device connecting the first and second blocks together, the first assembly device being entirely housed in the first and second blocks while being mounted to the first and second blocks, the first assembly device being tensioned so as to compress the first and second blocks against each other; a third block having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first side of the third block bearing against the second side of the second block; a second assembly device connecting the second and third blocks together and being entirely housed in the second and third blocks while being mounted to the second and third blocks, the second assembly device being tensioned so as to compress the second and third blocks against each other, wherein the second assembly device is parallel and non-coaxial with the first assembly device.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0078] FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of a structural assembly according to the invention comprising a first block and a second block connected together by a first assembly device;

[0079] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the structural assembly of FIG. 1;

[0080] FIG. 3 illustrates a variant of the structural element of FIG. 2, in which the first assembly device comprises a first connecting rod fixed to the first block and a nut cooperating with the first connecting rod and bearing against a shoulder of the second block;

[0081] FIG. 4 illustrates a variant of the structural element of FIG. 3, in which the interface between the first and second blocks is not planar;

[0082] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a structural assembly according to the invention comprising first, second and third blocks, the third block bearing against a side of the second block which is perpendicular to the interface between the first and second blocks, the structural assembly further comprising assembly devices of the type of that of FIG. 2;

[0083] FIG. 6 illustrates a variant of the example of a structural assembly of FIG. 5, which comprises assembly devices of the type of that of FIG. 3;

[0084] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a structural assembly according to the invention comprising first, second and third blocks, the third block bearing against a side of the second block which is parallel to the interface between the first and second blocks, the structural assembly further comprising assembly devices of the type of that of FIG. 3;

[0085] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a structural assembly according to the invention comprising first, second, third and fourth blocks, the fourth block bearing against a side of the third block which is parallel to the interface between the first and second blocks, the structural assembly further comprising assembly devices of the type of that of FIG. 3;

[0086] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a wall including a structural element of the type of FIG. 5 which surrounds a central structure consisting of juxtaposed central blocks;

[0087] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a wall including a structural element of the type of FIG. 6 which surrounds a central structure consisting of juxtaposed central blocks; and

[0088] FIG. 11 illustrates a beam according to the invention including a structural element of the type of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] Several embodiments of a structural assembly in accordance with the invention including two adjacent blocks connected together will first be described using FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0090] Of course, these examples are not limiting.

[0091] Each of the structural assemblies illustrated here in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a first block 12. In this example, the block is a regular polyhedron, namely a cube. This first block is solid. Other geometries of regular or non-regular polyhedra could be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0092] The blocks can be segments.

[0093] More specifically, in this example, the first block 12 has a first side 12a and a second side 12b opposite to the first side 12a.

[0094] The structural assembly 10 further includes a second block 14 which, in this non-limiting example, has substantially the same shape and the same dimensions as the first block 12. The second block 14 could have different dimensions and a different geometric shape from that of the first block 12 without departing from the scope of the present invention. The second block 14 is solid.

[0095] The second block 14 has a first side 14a and a second side 14b opposite to the first side 14a. As understood in the aforementioned figures, the second side 12b of the first block 12 is bearing against the first side 14a of the second block 14. In other words, the second side of the first block is in contact with the first side of the first block. The side common to the first and second blocks could be hereinafter referred to as the interface between the first and second blocks.

[0096] Furthermore, each structural assembly 10 includes a first assembly device 20 connecting together the first and second blocks 12, 14. The first assembly device 20 is entirely housed in the first and second blocks 12, 14 while being mounted to the first and second blocks 12, 14. Furthermore, the first assembly device 20 is tensioned so as to compress the first and second blocks 12, 14 against each other.

[0097] It is understood that the first and second blocks 12, 14 are pressed against each other thanks to the first assembly device, the compressive effort between the first and second blocks being localized on an interface 15 constituted by the second side 12b of the first block 12 and the first side 14a of the second block 14 which are in contact with each other.

[0098] The first assembly device 20 of this first embodiment of the two-block structural assembly will now be described in more detail using FIGS. 1 and 2. The first assembly device 20 comprises a first connecting rod 22 and at least one first pressing member 24. The first connecting rod 22 comprises a first part 22a which is fixed in the first block 12 and a second part 22b which is extends into the second block 14. Preferably, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the length of the first connecting rod 22 is equal to or greater than half the sum of the lengths of the first and second blocks 12, 14. It is also observed that the length of the first rod remains smaller than the sum of the lengths of the first and second blocks.

[0099] The first pressing member 24 is engaged with the second part 22b of the first connecting rod 22 while being pressed in the second block 14 so as to tension the first assembly device 20 and compress the first and second blocks against each other.

[0100] In this embodiment, the first part 22a of the first connecting rod 22 is sealed in the first block 12. More specifically, the first block 12 includes a first hole 30 which opens out into the first part 22a of the first connecting rod 22 is engaged in an orifice 30 arranged in the first block 12. In this example, the end of the first part 20a of the first connecting rod 22 includes an expansion end which has the effect of securing in rotation and in translation the first connecting rod 20 relative to the first block 12.

[0101] The second block 14 also includes a first hole 32 which opens out into the second side 14b of the second block 14. The second part 22b of the first connecting rod 22 extends into the first hole 32. The first hole 32 of the second block 14 includes a first hole portion 32a which opens out into the second side 14b and a second hole portion 32b, of smaller diameter, which opens out into the first side 14a of the second block 14. The differences in diameter between the first hole portion 32a and the second hole portion 32b define a shoulder 34 against which the first pressing member 24 comes into abutment.

[0102] It is furthermore understood that the first pressing member 24 is located in the first hole 32, and more specifically in the first portion 32a of the first hole 32. Furthermore, the second portion 32b of the first hole 32 is disposed in the continuity of the orifice 30 and has substantially the same diameter.

[0103] In this example, the pressing member 24 is a nut screwed to the first connecting rod 22.

[0104] The structural assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is assembled as follows.

[0105] First of all, the first block 12 comprising the orifice 30 which is blind and which opens out into the second side 12b of the first block 12 is provided.

[0106] The first connecting rod 22 is then inserted into the orifice 30, and the first part 22a is secured in the orifice 30, if necessary using an adhesive. The second part 22b of the first connecting rod 22 protrudes out of the first block 12 substantially perpendicularly to the second side 12b of the first block 12. In other embodiments of the invention, the second part of the first connecting rod can protrude out of the first block transversely to the second side of the first block without necessarily being perpendicular to said side.

[0107] The second block 14 is placed against the first block 12, so that the first side 14a of the second block 14 is in contact with the second side 12b of the first block 12. The second part 20b of the first connecting rod 22 is engaged in the second portion 32b of the first hole 32, the length of the first connecting rod 22 being chosen so that a portion of the end of the second part 22b of the first connecting rod 22 extends into the first portion 32a of the first hole 32.

[0108] The pressing member 24 is then engaged with the second part 22b of the first connecting rod 22. To do so, the pressing member 24, constituted by a nut, is screwed to the first connecting rod 22.

[0109] The operator then introduces a pressing toolfor example a simple or torque wrench-into the first hole 32 from the second side 14b of the second block 14 into which the first hole 32 opens out. Thanks to this pressing tool, the operator screws the nut. Insofar as the pressing member 24 bears against the shoulder 34, it is understood that the pressing of the pressing member 24 has the effect of compressing the first and second blocks 12, 14 against each other at the interface 15.

[0110] The structural assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the first assembly device 20 is a bolt.

[0111] The first connecting rod 22 of the first assembly device 20 also includes a first part 22a which extends into the first block 12 and a second part 22b which extends into the second block 14.

[0112] In this example, the first block 12 includes a first hole 36 which is disposed in the continuity of the first hole 32 of the second block 14. This first hole 36 opens out into the first side 12a of the first block 12. The first part 22a of the first connecting rod 22 is fixed in the first hole 36 of the first block 12.

[0113] The first part 22a of the first connecting rod 22 includes a head 22c which is located in the first portion 36a of the first hole 36 of the first block 12. The first part 22a of the first connecting rod 22 extends into the second portion 36b of the first hole 36 of the first block 12.

[0114] It can be observed that the first portion 36a of the first hole 36 has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the second portion 36b of the first hole 36 so as to define a shoulder 38 against which the head 22c bears. Means are also provided for blocking in rotation the first connecting rod 22 about its axis. Also, when the operator serves the pressing member 24, the first connecting rod 22 does not turn on itself. The head 22c approaches the pressing member 24, which causes the compression of the first and second blocks 12, 14 against each other.

[0115] The assembly of the structural element 10 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is carried out as follows:

[0116] First of all, the first block 12 is provided into which the first connecting rod 22 is inserted through the first hole 36 of the first block 12. The head 22c of the first connecting rod 22 bears against the shoulder 38, the second part 22b of the first connecting rod 22 protruding out of the first block substantially perpendicularly to the second side 12b of the first block 12.

[0117] The first connecting rod 22 is secured with respect to the first block 22 so as to prevent the first connecting rod 22 from rotating on itself about its axis.

[0118] Then, as in the assembly of the structural element of FIG. 2, the second block 14 is placed so as to engage the second part 22b of the first connecting rod 22 in the first hole 32 of the second block 14. The operator then places the pressing member 24 on the first connecting rod 22 and presses said pressing member 24 so as to compress the first and second blocks 12, 14 against each other.

[0119] A variant of embodiment of the structural assembly of FIG. 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this variant, the second side 12b of the first block 12 and the first side 14a of the second block 14 are non-planar and engaged with each other in a form-fitting manner. This ensures better continuity between the blocks, and in particular better transmission of the shear forces.

[0120] Other embodiments of the structural assembly 1000, 2000 according to the invention have been illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0121] In these embodiments according to the invention, the structural assembly 1000, 2000 includes three blocks.

[0122] Referring first to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the structural assembly 1000 further comprises a third block 40 having a first side 40a and a second side 40b opposite to the first side. The first side 40a of the third block 40 is bearing against one of the sides of the second block 14. In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, the first side 40a of the third block 40 is bearing against a third side 14c of the second block 14. This third side 14 is inclined, in this example perpendicular, with respect to the first side 14a of the third block.

[0123] It can be observed that the first and second blocks 12, 14 of the example of FIG. 5 are similar to those of the embodiment of FIG. 3. Furthermore, the structural assembly 1000 of FIG. 5 includes a first assembly device 50 which is similar to the first assembly device 20 of the structural assembly of FIG. 3.

[0124] The structural element 1000 moreover includes a second assembly device 60 which connects the second and third blocks 14, 40 together. The second assembly device 60 is entirely housed in the second and third blocks 14, 40 while being mounted to the second and third blocks. Furthermore, the second assembly device 60 is tensioned so as to compress the second and third blocks 14, 40 against each other.

[0125] To do so, in this example, the second assembly device 60 comprises a second connecting rod 62 and a second pressing member 64. The second connecting rod 60 comprises a first part 62a which is fixed in the second block 14. To do so, like the embodiment of FIG. 2, the first part 62a is sealed in an orifice 63 provided in the second block 14. The second connecting rod 62 further includes a second part 62b which extends into the third block 40. Similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the third block 40 includes a first hole 66 opening out into the second side 40b of the third block 40, the second pressing member 64 being disposed in this first hole 66. The second pressing member 64 is also engaged with the second part 62b of the second connecting rod 62 while being pressed in the third block 40 so as to compress the second and third blocks 14, 40 against each other.

[0126] The assembly of the first and second third blocks 12, 14 is similar to the assembly of the first and second blocks 12, 14 of the embodiment of FIG. 2. As in the example of FIG. 3, the first and second blocks are compressed against each other by the first assembly device 50.

[0127] The embodiment of the structural assembly 1000 of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIG. 5 in that the second assembly device 60 is a bolt, in this case identical to the first assembly device 50 which connects the first and second blocks 12, 14. In this embodiment, the second assembly device 60 includes a second connecting rod 62 and a second pressing member 64 which is disposed in a second hole 65 of the second block 14, this second hole 65 opening out on the one hand into the first side 40a of the third block 40 and on the other hand into a third side 14c of the second block 14, which is opposite to the first side 40a of the third block 40.

[0128] In this example, the second hole 65 and the first hole 32 of the second block intersect. It is understood that this second hole 65 allows the operator to access the second pressing member 64 in order to press it.

[0129] Referring to the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be observed that the second assembly device 60, 60 is inclined relative to the first assembly device 50, 50. In this case, in these examples, the second assembly device 60, 60 is orthogonal to the first assembly device 50, 50.

[0130] A structural assembly 2000, which is a variant of embodiment of the structural assembly 1000 of FIG. 6, is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this example, the first side 40a of the third block 40 is bearing against the second side 14b of the second block 14. Furthermore, the second assembly device 60 is parallel and non-coaxial with the first assembly device 50. In this example, the second hole 65 of the second block 14 is parallel and distant from the first hole 32.

[0131] It is also observed that in this example, the third block 40 is identical to the first block 12.

[0132] The third block 40 includes a first hole 42 which is coaxial with the first hole 32 of the second block 14. The third block 40 further includes a second hole 44 which is coaxial with the second hole 65 of the second block 14. The first holes of the second and third blocks 14, 40 therefore extend in continuity with each other. The same applies to the second hole 37 of the first block 12 and to the second hole 65 of the second block 14. The first holes 32, 42 therefore extend along an axis which is parallel to and distant from the common axis of the second holes 44, 65.

[0133] FIG. 8 illustrates a structural assembly 3000 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention which further includes a fourth block 70 having a first side 70a and a second side 70b opposite to the first side 70a, the first side 70a of the fourth block 70 bearing against the second side 40b of the third block 40, while the first side 40a of the third block is bearing against the second side 14b of the second block 14.

[0134] In this exemplary embodiment, the structural assembly 3000 includes a third assembly device 80, similar to the first assembly device 50 of FIG. 7, connecting together the third and fourth blocks 40, 70. The third assembly device 80 is entirely housed in the third and fourth blocks 40, 70 while being mounted in the third and fourth blocks. The third assembly device 80 is tensioned so as to compress the third and fourth blocks 40, 70 against each other.

[0135] In this example, the first and third assembly devices 50, 80 are coaxial. In this example, these are bolts similar to those described above.

[0136] In FIG. 9, a wall 4000 including a structural assembly 4002 is illustrated. In this example, the structural element 4002 includes blocks 4004 which are adjacent to each other while being connected together by mounting devices 4006, of the same type as the one described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The assembly devices 4006 connect the blocks 4004 together and are tensioned so as to compress two adjacent blocks 4004 against each other.

[0137] Using FIG. 9, it can be observed that the wall further includes a central structure consisting of central blocks 4008 juxtaposed to each other. In this example, the structural assembly 4002 surrounds the central structure. As can be observed in FIG. 9, some of the central blocks include non-horizontal and/or non-vertical interfaces. This conformation ensures better transmission of the shear forces, which ensures better continuity between the different central blocks 4008.

[0138] A wall 5000 similar to the wall 4000 of FIG. 9 is illustrated in FIG. 10. The wall of FIG. 10 differs from that of FIG. 9 in that the mounting devices are constituted by bolts of the type of FIG. 3.

[0139] Finally, FIG. 11 illustrates a beam 6000 including a structural assembly 6002 according to the invention. The constituent blocks 6004 of the structural assembly 6002 are here again pressed two by two thanks to assembly devices 6006 of the bolt type.