System, method and device for producing a supporting framework or rigid girder

Abstract

The invention provides a system, a method and a device for manufacturing a truss of framework from joined bar-elements and connection-elements inserted therebetween at joints, the bar-elements consisting of at least one segment of a material of high-growing plants, and the connection-elements consisting of a rigid, regenerative material. The ends of the bar-elements and/or the connection-elements are machined to exhibit surfaces of geometrical bodies, such that in the area of the joint, on each of the two bodies there is provided one surface which is a cylinder, cone, prism or pyramid, at least in selected areas, as well as another complementary surface which can be respectively plugged together with adjoining surfaces. The device comprises a cutting tool for machining of at least one connection-element and/or of the ends of bar-elements which are to be joined thereto.

1 . System comprising bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) joinable to form a truss ( 5 ), and connecting elements ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) insertable between the bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) at junctures where two or more bar-elements meet whose longitudinal axes are not coaxial to each other are joined, wherein 
 a) each of said bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) consists of at least one portion of a material selected from high-growing plants, and    b) each of said connecting elements ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) consists of a selected rigid, regenerative material; and wherein    c) at least one end of a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), a connecting element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) which is to be mounted to said bar-element, and at least one end of a further bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) which is to be connected to said connecting element, are treated to exhibit surfaces configured as geometrical bodies at least in selected areas,    d) such that at a joint between the bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) and the connecting element or the further bar-element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 ; 4 , 125 , 126 ), each of the elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ; 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) exhibits at least in a selected area a surface which runs along the surface ( 11 ; 76 ) generated by a selected one of a cylinder, a cone, a prism and a pyramid, as well as at least in another selected area a surface ( 11 ; 75 ) which is configured as a selected one of a hollow cylinder, a hollow cone, a hollow prism and a hollow pyramid, respectively,    e) which surfaces permit an assembly by plugging together with closely adjoining surfaces which are complementary to each other and suitable for locking together.    
   
   
       2 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint between the bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) and the connecting element or the further bar-element (1,14,21,34,38;4,125,126) comprises a plug-connection ( 30 ).  
   
   
       3 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint between the bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) and the connecting element or the further bar-element (1,14,21,34,38;4,125,126) comprises a selected one of a clamping ( 21 , 34 ) and a glueing ( 1 , 14 , 38 ) connection.  
   
   
       4 . System according to  claim 3 , wherein for mounting the bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) by clamping, a core ( 23 ) of the connecting element or the further bar-element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 ; 4 , 125 , 126 ) is spreadable and therefore said core is adapted to be pressed against an inside ( 76 ) of the bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ).  
   
   
       5 . System according to  claim 4 , wherein an element ( 31 ) widening conically or like the frustum of a pyramid, is moved into an inner, centric cut-out ( 13 ) of said core ( 23 ), for spreading the core ( 23 ).  
   
   
       6 . System according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the connecting element and the further bar-element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 ; 4 , 125 , 126 ) exhibits a cut-out ( 13 ) penetrating the core ( 23 ) in which a shaft of a fastener can be inserted to pull an element ( 31 ) with widening cross-section into the core ( 23 ).  
   
   
       7 . System according to  claim 1  wherein the connecting element ( 34 ) exhibits an annular shape ( 35 ), so that the cut-outs ( 13 ) for the insertion of a screw-like spreading element ( 27 , 31 ) can extend up to the inside ( 37 ) of the ring ( 35 ), in order to apply a threaded element or other clamping element at this location.  
   
   
       8 . System according to  claim 1  wherein the connecting element ( 1 , 52 ) exhibits a discoidal shape with a circular or ring-shaped, or a triangular, quadrilateral or hexagonal base ( 7 , 53 ).  
   
   
       9 . System according  claim 1  wherein one connecting element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) exhibits at least one surface area of a shape which generally corresponds to a part of a lateral surface of a hollow cylinder, for connecting to the shaft of a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ).  
   
   
       10 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) exhibits a shaft milled to a round shape at its outer surface.  
   
   
       11 . System according to  claim 1  wherein a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) which is to be inserted between two connecting elements ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ), exhibits a at both ends thereof the surfaces ( 11 ; 76 ) configured as a selected one of a cylinder, a cone, a prism and a pyramid arranged either within or without, respectively, of the surfaces ( 11 ;  75 ), which are configured as a selected one of a hollow cylinder, a hollow cone, a hollow prism and/a hollow pyramid in a selected area.  
   
   
       12 . System according to  claim 1  wherein a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), which is to be inserted between two other bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), exhibits a different structure at both of its ends, at one end the surface ( 11 ; 76 ) being a selected one of a cylinder, a cone, a prism or a pyramid arranged within the surface ( 11 ; 75 ), which runs along a selected one of a hollow cylinder, a hollow cone, a hollow prism and a hollow pyramid in a selected area, and at the other end this is arranged the other way round.  
   
   
       13 . System according to  claim 12 , wherein the bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) consist of tubes.  
   
   
       14 . Process to produce a truss ( 5 ) from bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), which are to be joined, and from connecting elements ( 1 , 4 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ), which are to be placed between bar-elements at all such joint places, where two or more bar-elements meet whose longitudinal axes are not coaxial to each other, wherein 
 a) the bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) are made from at least one segment of a material from high-growing plants each, and    b) the connecting elements ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) consist of a rigid, regenerative material,    wherein    c) at least one end of a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), a connecting element ( 1 . 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) which is to be mounted to said bar-element, and the end of a further bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) which is to be connected, are treated such that they exhibit surfaces running along well-defined geometrical bodies at least in selected areas,    d) such that at the joint between a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) and a connecting element or a further bar-element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 4 , 125 , 126 ), each of both element bodies ( 4 ,, 26 ; 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) exhibits at least in a selected area a surface which runs along the surface ( 11 ; 76 ) generated by a cylinder, cone, prism or a pyramid, as well as at least in another selected area a surface ( 11 ; 75 ) which runs along a hollow cylinder, hollow cone, hollow prism and or hollow pyramid respectively,    e) and that surfaces ( 11 ; 75 ) processed in such a way are assembled by plugging them together with closely adjoining surfaces which are complementary to each other and suitable for locking together.    
   
   
       15 . Process according to  claim 14 , wherein the bodies and/or the surfaces of the parts ( 4 ,  125 , 126 ; 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) which are to be connected are processed by cutting.  
   
   
       16 . Process according to  claim 14 , wherein both ends ( 73 ) of a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) are processed such that the (longitudinal) symmetry axes of the processed areas ( 75 ; 76 ) are in line with each other.  
   
   
       17 . Process according to  claim 16 , in that wherein slots ( 24 ) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the concerned plug-connection ( 3 ), are placed in an area, which adjoins the lateral surface ( 11 ) of a connecting element or a further bar-element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ; 4 ), in order to facilitate a radial spring-like movement of areas  25  of the concerned generated surface ( 11 ).  
   
   
       18 . Process according to  claim 17 , wherein a spreading element ( 31 ) is inserted in a bore ( 13 ), which is parallel or coaxial to a longitudinal axis of a plug-connection ( 3 ), in order to permit pressure to be exerted in the direction of (areas  25  of) the generated surface ( 75 ) at the end of a bar-element ( 4 ) which is to be connected.  
   
   
       19 . Process according to  claim 14 , wherein the bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) are glued or clamped to the connecting elements or further bar-elements ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ; 4 , 125 , 126 ) after plugging ( 30 ) the elements together.  
   
   
       20 . Process according to  claim 14 , wherein connecting elements ( 38 ) are used as end pieces along a longitudinal edge of the truss ( 5 ), which are connectable to a foundation ( 41 ), a ceiling, and a roof.  
   
   
       21 . Process according to  claim 14 , wherein a panelling is attached at the connecting elements ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ) of the truss ( 5 ).  
   
   
       22 . Process according to  claim 14 , wherein bamboo culms ( 4 ) are used as the bar-elements, whose inner and/or outer lateral surfaces ( 75 ,  76 ) at the culms' ends ( 73 ) are processed.  
   
   
       23 . Process according to  claim 22 , wherein the lateral surfaces ( 75 ,  76 ) of the end ( 73 ) of a bamboo culm are processed such that the wall-thickness of the culm ( 4 ) is equal to or less than a predetermined wall-thickness.  
   
   
       24 . Process according to  claim 23 , wherein potentially present diaphragms (nodes) in the bamboo culm ( 4 ) are pierced or otherwise made passable.  
   
   
       25 . Process according to  claim 22  wherein holes ( 13 ) are drilled into a connecting element ( 1 ,  14 ,  21 ,  34 ,  38 ,  52 ), which lead into a surface area ( 12 ) covered by a face-side of an attached bamboo culm ( 4 ), such that said holes join within the connecting element ( 1 ,  14 ,  21 ,  34 ,  38 ,  52 ) in order to obtain a link between cavities of the attached bamboo-culms ( 4 ).  
   
   
       26 . Process according to  claim 25 , wherein during creation of the lateral surfaces ( 75 ,  76 ) at a connection-element which can be plugged together with a bamboo culm ( 4 ), the cavity-joining holes ( 13 ) drilled into the connection-element ( 1 ,  14 ,  21 ,  34 ,  38 ,  52 ) are used as a tool guide.  
   
   
       27 . Apparatus to produce a truss ( 5 ) from bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), which are to be joined, and from connecting elements ( 1 ,  14 ,  21 ,  34 ,  38 ,  52 ), which are to be placed between the bar-elements at joint places, where two or more bar-elements meet whose longitudinal axes are not coaxial to each other, wherein at least one tool ( 56 ,  113 ) comprising a cutting tool, for machining at least one connecting element ( 1 ,  14 ,  21 ,  34 ,  38 ,  52 ) made from a rigid, regenerative material and/or the ends ( 73 ) of bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) made from at least one segment of a material from high-growing plants each, which are to be mounted to said connecting element or to one another, in such a way that they obtain surfaces ( 10 ,  11 ;  75 ,  76 ) which run along well-defined geometrical bodies at least in selected areas, whereby at the processed body ( 4 ,  125 ,  126 ;  1 ,  14 ,  21 ,  34 ,  38 ,  52 ) in the area of a joint of a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) with a connecting element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 ) there is formed simultaneously a lateral surface ( 11 ;  76 ) configured as a selected one of a cylinder, a cone, a prism and a pyramid at least in selected areas as well as a surface ( 11 ;  75 ) configured as a selected one of a hollow cylinder, a hollow cone, a hollow prism and a hollow pyramid at least in selected areas, respectively.  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus according to  claim 27 , comprising at least one tool ( 113 ) for processing the ends ( 73 ) of a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), the tool comprising a device ( 84 ) for clamping a bar-element ( 4 , 125 , 126 ) such that both of its ends ( 73 ) are substantially parallel and concentrically aligned with a longitudinal axis of the processing apparatus ( 74 ).  
   
   
       29 . Apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein there is provided a device ( 108 ) at each end of the clamping device ( 84 ) for holding and/or mounting of a processing-tool ( 113 ).  
   
   
       30 . Apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein there is provided a device ( 111 ) to guide the processing tools ( 113 ) or their holdings ( 108 ) respectively in a feeding direction along the longitudinal axis of the processing apparatus ( 74 ).  
   
   
       31 . Apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein there is provided at least one cutting tool in the shape of a milling head ( 113 ) for machining lateral surfaces ( 73 ) at the ends of the bar-elements ( 4 , 125 , 126 ), to process the inner and the outer surfaces ( 75 , 76 ) of a bar-element bamboo culm simultaneously.  
   
   
       32 . Apparatus according to  claim 27  and further comprising at least one tool ( 56 ) for machining a connecting element ( 1 , 14 , 21 , 34 , 38 , 52 ), wherein the tool ( 56 ) is adapted for rotating around an axis ( 57 ), with a cutting edge for creating a cavity ( 9 ) of rotational symmetry with defined cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       33 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein a cutting region is arranged at a peripheral boundary surface ( 64 ) which surrounds a centrical guiding device ( 60 ).  
   
   
       34 . Apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the centrical guiding device ( 60 ) is a drill, so that the guiding drill-hole ( 13 ) and the plugging cavity ( 9 ) can be produced in one work step.