Frame construction system for wooden load-bearing walls

Abstract

A frame construction system for load-bearing wooden walls is described, the system being equipped with prefabricated panels (10, 10a) to be assembled on site along vertical (2) and horizontal (3) structural edges of the panels (10, 10a), the prefabricated panels (10, 10a) having smaller dimensions than the walls, means being provided to create the joints between the edges (2, 3), ensuring structural resistance and impermeability, wherein the means to create the joints between the edges (2, 3) comprise structural tenons (11, 18) to connect adjacent panels (10, 10a), along the vertical (2) and horizontal (3) edges.

Description

[0001] FRAME CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM FOR WOODEN LOAD-BEARING

[0002] WALLS

[0003] The present invention refers to a construction system for wooden load-bearing walls .

[0004] The invention involves the pre-assembly of three-dimensional wooden structural frames starting from the assembly of pre-worked two-dimensional structural elements and wooden bracing panels .

[0005] Known prefabrication systems involve the construction of entire walls , to be assembled on site along the structural edges of the relevant buildings .

[0006] This prior art process has several drawbacks .

[0007] One drawback is that the large si ze of the panels requires the use of highly impactful means of transport , handling and safety systems .

[0008] Furthermore , making the walls in one piece makes it di f ficult , i f not impossible , to minimi ze waste .

[0009] One way to optimi ze the work is to produce the walls not in one piece , but to assemble a plurality of smaller panels . However, this introduces new problems , which must be solved to make the proposed system ef fective .

[0010] These problems essentially consist in the definition of means of connection between the edges of said panels , said means of connection having to ensure the solidity and impermeability of the connections .

[0011] Obj ect of the present invention is solving at least in part the prior art problems by providing a process , in accordance with claim 1 , for the prefabrication and installation of a frame construction system for wooden load-bearing walls , of the type which involves the creation of prefabricated panels to be assembled on site along the structural edges of said panels , wherein said prefabricated panels have dimensions smaller than said walls , with means being provided for creating the j oints between said edges , ensuring structural resistance and impermeability, wherein said means for creating the j oints between said edges compri se insulated structural tenons for connecting adj acent modules , and the structural fixing at the base and along the perimeter of the panels themselves .

[0012] These points , defined as j unction points and therefore discontinuity points of the system, will then be appropriately taped and j oined to ensure the correct restoration of structural continuity and waterproofing .

[0013] Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention form the subj ect matter of the dependent claims .

[0014] It is understood that all attached claims form an integral part of this description .

[0015] The invention in question solves the above- mentioned drawbacks since , having reduced the si ze of the panels , allows for notable advantages in terms of ease of transport and handling with positive consequences in terms of reduction of production costs .

[0016] Furthermore , it is easier to reduce processing waste , with further economic benefits .

[0017] It will be immediately obvious that countless variations and modi fications can be made to what i s described ( for example relating to shape , dimensions , arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) without departing from the scope of the invention, as appears from the attached claims .

[0018] The present invention will be better described by a preferred embodiment thereof , provided by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 to 7 show the sequence of operations for the construction of the panels;

[0020] FIG. 8 shows the basic elements of the system according to the invention;

[0021] FIG. 9 (a, b, c) show the sequence of operations to be carried out to create the connection between the panels;

[0022] FIG. 10 shows a section of the joint between two adjacent panels;

[0023] FIG. 11 shows a section of the joint between two adjacent panels, made with a tenon according to a variation;

[0024] FIG. 12 shows a corner wall obtained with the panels according to the invention.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 1 to 7, a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment of the process for the prefabrication of wooden panels constituting a construction system for load-bearing walls, according to the present invention, is shown and described .

[0026] The manufacturing process of panels (10) for the implementation of the invention includes the following steps, illustrated in FIG. 1 to 7 : Step 1 on a work surface (1) , suitable to act as a jig for assembling the panels (10) that constitute the construction system, a plurality of wooden structural beams (2) are positioned, which will form the vertical framework of the system, said structural beams (2) also constituting the vertical edges of said panels (10) ;

[0027] Step 2 - sides (3) are inserted on the jig bench (1) to dimensionally constrain the finished panel (10) and its substructure, said sides (3) also constituting the horizontal edges of said panels (10) ; the dashed box (la) , in FIG. 2 and the subsequent Figures, refers to the possibility of having openings for windows, non-standard components, etc., as described in the subsequent Step 7, therefore a different shape of that panel.

[0028] Step 3 - assembly of the wall framework made up of the aforementioned vertical (2) and horizontal (3) wooden elements, connected to each other by means of screws and structurally certified fixing brackets (not shown) ;

[0029] Step 4 - installation of the bracing cladding panels (4) and closing of the first face, to be fixed to the structural frame using structurally certified hardware (not shown) and sealing of the vertical and horizontal joints between said bracing panels (4) , to ensure air tightness;

[0030] Step 5 - overturning of the panel and laying of insulating material (5) , of the massive- capacitive or resistive type, in the quantities and methods required for each specific case, in order to guarantee correct insulation for each context of use ;

[0031] Step 6 - laying of wind-bracing panels (4a) for cladding and closing of the second face, to be fixed to the structural frame using hardware (not shown) and structurally certified methods and sealing of the vertical and horizontal joints between said wind-bracing panels (4a) to ensure air tightness ;

[0032] Step 7 - possible addition of "non-standard" components (not shown) , for example door and window openings, structural supports for heavy loads, electrical and system components, interfering elements .

[0033] FIG. 8 shows the fundamental components of the system according to the invention, i.e. the wall panels (10) , made as previously described, and the connecting elements (11) , i.e. the insulated structural tenons, shown in detail in FIG. 9. According to a preferred embodiment, said tenons (11) comprise a pair of strips (12) joined by a sheet (13) and the space left free next to the sheet (13) is filled with an insulating material (14)

[0034] The process for the on-site installation of the construction system of the invention involves lifting the elements vertically, inserting said insulated structural tenons (11) , suitable for connecting adjacent panels (10) , and structural fixing at the base and along the perimeter of the same. The points of junction and therefore of discontinuity of the system will then be appropriately joined and taped to ensure the correct restoration of the structural continuity and the impermeability of the walls.

[0035] FIG. 9 (a, b, c) show the sequence of operations to be carried out to create the joints.

[0036] In FIG. 9a two panels (10) are brought closer together, bringing two vertical edges into contact with the interposition of the tenon (11) which will be placed inside the recesses (15) , obtained on said edges. In FIG. 9b the two panels (10) are in contact along the vertical edges. In FIG. 9c the edges themselves are covered with a tape (16) to ensure their impermeability.

[0037] FIG. 10 shows a section of the joint between two consecutive panels (10) , in which the structural continuity is ensured by a plurality of screws (17) , inserted along the edges of the panels (10) and which fit into the strips (12) of the tenon (11) .

[0038] In FIG. 11 a second preferred embodiment of the tenon (18) is shown, which is inserted into recesses (18a) obtained on the edges of the panels (10a) . In this case the tenon (18) is considerably more massive and in fact replaces the structural beams (2) which would be found along the vertical edges of the wall panels. Structural continuity is ensured by a plurality of nails or screws (19) which are inserted along the edges of the panels (10a) and which are inserted into the tenon (18) .

[0039] In the following FIG. 12, a corner wall (20) obtained with the panels (10) according to the invention is shown.

[0040] The dimensional limits of the system are designed to guarantee the right compromise between weight, size, maneuverability, transportability before assembly on site and at the same time speed of installation, optimization of the number of joints, fixings and accessory processes on site.

[0041] Specifically, the most common dimensions of the system are a width of up to 280 centimetres, a length of up to 650 centimetres and a depth between 20 and 30 centimetres, for each wall panel (10) .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Frame construction system for load-bearing wooden walls, the system being equipped with prefabricated panels (10, 10a) to be assembled on site along vertical (2) and horizontal (3) structural edges of said panels (10, 10a) , said prefabricated panels (10, 10a) having dimensions smaller than said walls, means being provided for creating the joints between said edges (2, 3) , ensuring structural resistance and impermeability, wherein said means for creating the joints between said edges (2, 3) comprise structural tenons (11, 18) for connecting adjacent panels (10, 10a) , along said vertical (2) and horizontal (3) edges, wherein :- said tenons (11) comprise a pair of strips (12) joined by a plate (13) ;- the space left free next to said plate (13) between said strips (12) and said plate (13) is filled with an insulating material (14) ;- said tenons (11) are inserted into recesses (15) made on the edges (2, 3) of said wall panels (10) ;- said tenons (18) are inserted into mortises (18a) obtained on the edges (2, 3) of said wallpanels (10) ; said tenons (11, 18) are fixed in their seats (15, 18a) by means of a plurality of screws and / or nails (17, 19) which are inserted along the edges of the panels (10, 10a) ; and- the joints between the panels (10, 10a) are covered with tape (16) to ensure their waterproofing .

2. Frame construction system for wooden loadbearing walls according to claim 1, characterised in that said wall panels (10, 10a) have a width of up to 280 centimetres, a length of up to 650 centimetres and a depth of between 20 and 30 centimetres .

3. Manufacturing process of panels (10, 10a) forming part of a frame construction system for wooden load-bearing walls according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following steps :Step 1 - on a work surface (1) , suitable to act as a jig for assembling the panels (10, 10a) that are part of the construction system, a plurality of wooden structural beams (2) are positioned, which will form the vertical framework of the system, said structural beams (2) alsoforming the vertical edges of said panels (10,10a) ;Step 2 - sides (3) are inserted on the jig bench (1) to dimensionally constrain the finished panel (10, 10a) and its substructure, said sides (3) also constituting the horizontal edges of said panels (10, 10a) ;Step 3 - assembly of the wall framework made up of the aforementioned vertical (2) and horizontal (3) wooden elements, connected to each other by screws and fixing brackets;Step 4 - installation of bracing cladding panels (4) and closing of the first face, to be fixed to the structural frame using structurally certified hardware and sealing of the vertical and horizontal joints between said bracing panels (4) to ensure air tightness;Step 5 - overturning of the panel and laying of insulating material (5) , of the massive- capacitive or resistive type, in the quantities and methods required for each specific case, in order to guarantee correct insulation for each context of use ;Step 6 - laying of bracing panels (4a) for cladding and closing of the second face, to befixed to the structural frame using hardware and sealing of the vertical and horizontal joints between said bracing panels (4a) to ensure air tightness .

4. Manufacturing process of panels (10) forming part of a frame construction system for wooden load-bearing walls according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises the following : Step 7 - addition of "non-standard" components, such as door and window openings, structural supports for heavy loads, electrical and plant components, interfering elements.

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