Modular prefabricated element used in building construction

Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Compound curve structure

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C052S577000, C052S687000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06327822

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modular prefabricated element used in building construction, particularly used for making floors and related slabs with cast concrete interspaces.
2. State of the Prior Art
It has been known for a long time to provide aerated hollow spaces, also called interspaces, under the floors of residential and commercial buildings for the purposes of eliminating gases and humidity which can damage both people and the building structures.
A modern and rational solution to the problem of eliminating the humidity and gases is described in Italian patent specification 1,253,374 and in Italian design application no. PN93 0 000012, both of the present applicant. The solution of these documents is a modular element that is preferably molded out of a plastic material in the shape of a spherical cap. It is provided with four supports that are connected to each other by four arches. The side edges of the arches are shaped so as to enable contiguous elements to be joined to each other, due to respective edges being able to overlap and snap-fit together. The contiguous elements can then form a solid and continuous surface.
The prior art element described above, however, needs to be provided with reinforcing, i.e. stiffening ribs, in particular under the cap, so as to ensure that the surface is able to carry and withstand, without any problem, both the weight of the workers as the prior art element is installed, and the weight of the subsequent concrete casting. The prior art structural element is thus subject to both compressive and flexural stresses.
As a result, construction of the mold that is used to manufacture the prior art element is complicated, with a corresponding high cost. Furthermore, the prior art element itself, when made of molded plastic material, tends to be insufficiently resistant and unstable as a whole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a modular element for forming aerated hollow spaces, or interspaces, in building construction applications which not only ensures unaltered functional properties, but also allows for a lower material usage and a simpler and more rational molding process than the prior art element. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an element that is capable of being easily adapted, with respect to both its shape and size, to a particular user application requirement.
The objects of the present invention are achieved by the provision of the modular prefabricated element which has a bowl shape structure with an upper surface that is concave, symmetrical and substantially a catenary in vertical section. Resting supports are connected with the bowl shaped structure. Further, a frusto-conically shaped lateral surface forms a circular junction with the bowl shaped structure, the circular junction lying in a horizontal plane. The resting supports are connected with the frusto-conically shaped lateral surface so that the upper surface has a smaller radius than the resting supports. Upon the application of a vertical load to the upper surface, the upper surface is only subjected to radial tensile stresses.
The bowl shaped portion, the frusto-conically shaped surface and the resting supports are preferably molded in one piece and thus unitary. The supports are essentially formed by extending the frusto-conically shaped surface downward from the bowl shaped portion at a plurality of points circumferentially spaced along the bowl shaped portion. The supports end in horizontal feet, and are essentially defined by arched spaces therebetween. Bent edges along the arched spaces along vertical planes are capable of overlapping and fitting together with like bent edges.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3299585 (1967-01-01), Wilkins
patent: 3352079 (1967-11-01), Strong
patent: 3899153 (1975-08-01), Friedl
patent: 4128975 (1978-12-01), Abate
patent: 4495744 (1985-01-01), Carl
patent: 4702048 (1987-10-01), Millman
patent: 5067686 (1991-11-01), Peterson
patent: 5505564 (1996-04-01), Verstraeten
patent: 5555693 (1996-09-01), Sorkin
patent: 5797230 (1998-08-01), Lassen
patent: 6089522 (2000-07-01), Haslem et al.

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