Description

The present invention relates to a cladding of a modular frame structure, of the type used for assembling even complex buildings. Under modular frame a complex frame is meant, obtained by means of interconnecting several module frames identifying an outer wall of the building, which has to be cladded, as well as a plurality of intermediate floors and partitions which give shape and function to the building.

International patent application N. WO 2004/033,809 Al describes a cladding formed by joining two panels spaced- apart by a plate with a Z-like profile, with a peripheral frame constituted by closing beams, which then are used for assembly with a supporting frame.

European patent application N. 2,213,807 Al describes a modular wall formed by spacing elements and several overlapped panels.

European patent application N. 2,444,565 Al describes a connection system for panels arranged on a building facade, wherein the framework includes a metallic rigid element which is used for connecting the plates and which gives the structure the required resistance.

Even British patent application N. 2,524,025 describes an assembly structure for panels, comprising a framework constituted by elements fixed therebetween, to provide passage channels for electrical services.

International patent application N. WO 2010/139,681 A describes a cladding system with a supporting element fastened to a bearing wall sustaining an outer panel so as to determine an air gap, with additional intermediate panels arranged to form additional air gaps.

US patent N. 6,134,860 A relates to a frame for prefabricated structures constituted by coupled walls implementing a support for surface boardings.

US patent N. 6,256,960 Bl describes a prefabricated building with framework-like peripheral elements which are used to position the outer walls.

US patent N. 2010/0095621 A describes an insulating panel provided with fixed joints for assembling additional panels .

US patent application N. 2012/0247043 describes a building modular system wherein frame peripheral elements define passages in which panels are inserted constituted by an outer foil, an inner foil, and an insulating intermediate element.

British application N. GB 2,412,385 A describes a cladding according to the preamble of the enclosed claim 1, however without intermediate claddings between different module frames.

Even International patent application N. WO 98/56,999 Al and French patent application N. FR 2,951,213 Al describe details inherent to the claddings of module frames.

Therefore, the state of art offers very diversified solutions, but they hardly adapt to a modular frame formed by beams and by knots of metallic nature, which can be used in climatic areas very different therebetween and which however has to guarantee an insulation adequate to the reference climatic area, without thermal bridges causing not correctly insulated areas, with a consequent energy loss .

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a cladding of a modular frame structure allowing to obviate the drawback mentioned with reference to the known art.

Such problem is solved by a cladding of a modular frame structure as defined in the annexed claim 1.

The main advantage of the cladding according to the present invention lies in allowing, the assembly procedure being equal, a considerable freedom in selecting thicknesses and materials which adapt to a frame with beams and metallic joints, by obtaining an overall homogeneous and optimum insulation.

The present invention will be described hereinafter according to a preferred embodiment thereof, provided by way of example and not with limiting purposes by referring to the enclosed drawings wherein:

* figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a complex frame resulting from assembling several module frames of the structure, which is suitable to receive a cladding according to the present invention, wherein the mentioned dimensions represent purely indicative and not limiting values;

* figure 2 shows a detail of a module frame of figure 1, with an exploded view illustrating the scheme for assembling a cladding according to the present invention;

* figure 3 shows a vertical section of a complex building illustrating both the complex frame of figure 1 and the cladding of the present invention;

* figure 4 shows a first enlarged detail of the cladding of figure 3 in cross section;

* figure 5 shows a horizontal and partial section of the cladding of figure 3;

* figure 6 shows a front view of the cladding of figure 3;

* figure 7 shows a second enlarged detail of the cladding of figure 3 in cross section; and

* figure 8 shows a third enlarged detail of the cladding of figure 3 in horizontal section.

By referring to figure 1, a complex frame of a modular building structure is designated with 1; it is constituted by a certain number of module frames which has a substantially parallelepiped-like shape and are identified by the longitudinal beams 2, by the vertical beams 3 and by the transversal beams 4.

Under parallelepiped, herein a straight parallelepiped with rectangular faces is meant. Each module frame has sizes allowing it to fall within the shape of a container which can be transported by ordinary route, in case loaded on the platform of an articulated vehicle, without requiring a special transportation to move it from the assembly site to the production site. A building module then will correspond to each module frame, the building module comprising the related claddings which will be described hereinafter, and which can be assembled at works, before the transportation to the laying site.

Each module frame has then angles wherein the longitudinal, vertical and transversal beams 2, 3, 4 join. At such angles, the complex frame 1 comprises a plurality of connecting knots 5 joining module frames adjacent laterally on the same horizontal or vertical plane, on the lower side or upper side on staggered planes, or providing for the connection of the module frames to a suitably arranged flat basement 80, or to a not represented roof structure.

In case of adjacent module frames, they could be faced at a longitudinal, vertical, upper or lower wall; otherwise, in case of frames on staggered planes, they will have in common an edge with two beams of the same type faced one onto the other one.

Therefore, the shapes of each knot 5 change according to the knot position, in particular each knot 5 should be capable of providing for the mutual connection of a number of module frame varying from one to eight and thereof with basement 80. Generally, each knot 5 has a box-like structure with a cubic and hollow parallelepiped-like shaped inner core 6, formed by six walls faced two by two, each wall with a circular opening so that they form respective channels opened according to orthogonal axes X, Y and Z. Such channels are opened, and the core inside provides a space for passing through a channel or from a channel to the other one.

The core could be made of a suitable material, for example steel, preferably in one single piece and with adequate thicknesses, so as to have the resistance required for any design stress.

Furthermore, at each opening, the core 6 comprises a corresponding supporting plate 7, for a total of six supporting plates, parallel or orthogonal therebetween two by two; in particular, the plates 7 of openings one in front of the other one are parallel therebetween, and the plates 7 of openings on adjacent plates are orthogonal therebetween (figure 2) .

Even the supporting plates could be made of suitable material, in case in one single piece with the core 6, or by means of welding of pieces.

Each supporting plate 7, if it extends beyond the plane defined by an adjacent plate 7, defines therewith an angular or side rest for a module frame angle.

By referring to figure 2, on an angle of the core 6 the plates 7 extend beyond the two adjacent plates and viceversa, by determining an angular rest formed by three supporting plates 7 which form an angular space with three resting walls.

Otherwise, at an edge of the core 6, two supporting plates 7 can extend one beyond the other one and viceversa, by forming a side rest formed by two L-like positioned plate ends. In case a supporting plate 7 is not crossed by any of the adjacent plates, it forms a resting plane which can be connected to a basement or a roof (figure 2) .

The shape of the knots 5 then allows not only to connect adjacent module frames, but to space apart them one from the other one. This determines two substantially combined effects :

1. the overall sizes of the complex frame obtained by assembling module frames will be larger than the sum of the sizes of the single module frames; and

2. the distance between each module frame could allow, together with the presence of the above-mentioned channels in each knot 5, to arrange easily through plants of electric, water nature (mains water, white water, waste water, heating, refrigeration) , air conditioning plants, service tubes, alarm plants and so on .

The first one of said effects allows to make each pre- assembled module capable of being transported in a simple way, as a usual container, and then to obtain a building the overall sizes thereof would not be otherwise compatible with normal transportation systems.

To this regard, the previously described angular rests will be useful to receive the angles of each module frame. Each angle will include a box-like connecting element 8, formed by two or three walls connected therebetween, which will be in contact with the respective rest.

Advantageously, the frame beams have a L-like section with the inner angle facing towards the inner space of the module frame, to provide a support to the edges of the inner panels 9 which will be described hereinafter with greater detail.

The L-like beams, as well as the connecting elements 8, could be made of suitable material, for example a folded or forged steel plate, or obtained by welding.

Each module, although formed by a frame which repeats module by module, could assume very different shapes, but it will include, at the walls forming the outer surface of a complex building, outer paddings which could be adapted to the climatic area of interest.

At the outer surface of the complex frame 1, the rests arranged by the knots 5 could receive respective stopper ^¬ like elements 10, for closing the opening faced outwards, and framework elements 11 extending from a knot to the other one and which will be used to support a cladding panel 20. They will be described hereinafter with greater details .

In this way, on the same outer wall, each so-obtained framework would provide a different cladding, so as to obtain different compositions.

It is to be noted that the above-mentioned stopper-like elements and the framework elements have the task, together with the panels 20, to close the outer surfaces of the building, but even to implement a seal preventing the air from entering the intermediate spaces between the module frames 10, acting as thermal and acoustic insulation and even for fireproofing purposes.

Such seal can be implemented thanks to self-expanding belts and gaskets, arranged on the edges of the stopper ^¬ like elements and of the framework elements.

The above-described structure obtained by assembling the knots 5 with the module frames further allows to obtain an adequate resistance to earthquake motions according to the existing rules.

Each module frame 10 could include elements for reinforcing the structure thereof. In particular, the section of the beams 2, 3, 4 could be of box-like type; the beams could be connected by vertical struts arranged on the vertical faces, or angular brace assemblies or additional diagonal beams, or even transversal currents on any face .

By referring to figures 3 to 8, the above-mentioned claddings will be now described in greater detail.

In particular, the outer panel 20 comprises a box-like reinforcement 21 made of wood or steel; inside, the reinforcement 21 comprises angular elements 22 for assembling the walls constituting the reinforcement, which thus results to be closed. Inside, the reinforcement 21 has a filler 23 which could be selected in relation to the use climatic area.

For example, such filler 23 could comprise panels made of wood fibre with variable density, selected based upon the climatic area.

The filler will be included in a casing made of cloth or paper to guarantee the air seal and the thermohygrometric equilibrium of the filler 23.

The reinforcement 21 defines an outer face and an inner face of the outer panel 20. On the inner face, the panel comprises a compensation foil 24 made of compressible material, which is suitable to be rested on an inner panel 9.

The compressibility of the foil 24 guarantees a perfect adhesion to the inner panel and the assembly clearance compensation. The material of the compensation foil 24 can be cork or other material suitable to compensate a possible clearance and the thickness of the plate which constitutes the beam, for example a thermoplastic material such as neoprene.

On the outer face, the outer panel 20 comprises a plurality of fastening pins 25 infixed in the wall of the reinforcement 21 through the angular elements 22, which are stiff and made of metallic material, thus by offering the required structural support.

A flat element of outer finishing 26 can be assembled to the fastening pins 21 existing at each angle of the outer panel 20, which flat element forms an empty air gap 27 between it and outer face of the outer panel 20.

For the above-mentioned assembly, the fastening pin 25 is equipped with L-like connecting elements 28, equipped with suitable slotted holes for engaging a bolting 29 made of steel .

The flat element 26 can be constituted by a panel of any nature: for example a panel made of treated wood, steel, aluminium, a stratified layer made of glass or other transparent or semi-transparent material, a sheet of compressed concrete, a plate made of natural or artificial stone (marble etc.), a photovoltaic module.

By referring to figure 6, the outer panel 20 can be constituted by a plurality of panel-like elements 40 arranged edge against edge to form a more extended plane, with an overall size to constitute a cladding for a whole wall of module frame (figure 6) ; this assembling can be implemented by fixing therebetween the end angular elements 22 of each panel-like element 30 through the respective reinforcement 21.

The inner panel 9 instead comprises the overlapping of a pair of layers: a first bearing layer 91, which for example can be made of wood, in particular of multi- layered wood, and which is facing outwards; and a second insulating thermal layer 92, for example a layer made of a vegetable fibre such as linen, which is facing inwards. On the inner face of the inner panel 9, then on the second layer 92, there is a barrier 93 for the air seal and to keep a thermohygrometric equilibrium of conventional type, and in case a layer of plaster fibre 94. The same type of inner panel 9 can be used for the ceiling of each inner environment (figure 3), whereas the floors, designated with 30, will comprise, too, a first bearing layer 91, still made of multi-layered wood, facing downwards, as well as a plurality of insulating layers 95 which can include foam material of vitreous type (ex. expanded perlite) , vegetable fibres (fibres made of wood, cellulose, an air gap 99 between the bearing layer and the insulating layers, and, of course, a coating 97 for floors on the surface exposed to trampling .

In the insulating layers 95 and in the air gap 99 ducts or pipes related to plants integrated in the floor can be provided, for example ducts for the hot water of a floor heating, ducts for electrical cables, alarm systems and so on .

By referring to the complex frame 1 resulting from assembling the module frames, the horizontal edges, both those at the basement and the roof, and those corresponding to the inner floors, the cladding comprises first box-like elements arranged at the conjunction of the inner panels 9 and of the floors 30.

The first box-like elements 31 comprise a box made of steel 32 with a filler 36 which comprises an insulating material, for example a foam material such as expanded perlite (figure 8) .

Even the vertical edges of the complex frame comprise a second box-like element 33 (figure 8) analogous to the previous one, arranged at the respective inner panels 9. At last, at the vertical beams 3 and the horizontal beams 4 arranged on the exposed faces of the complex frame 1, the cladding comprises third box-like elements 34 which, differently from the previous ones, comprise a box made of wood 35 and a filler analogous to the previous one (figures 7 and 8) . The above-mentioned box-like elements can be opened, to allow screwing the beams of the module frame to the knot, once the box is empty. Once completed this assembling phase, the box is closed and filled up with a filler 36, which is even heat insulating and fireproofing agent.

It is to be noted that pins 25, analogous to those already described, can be fastened to the box made of wood 35, which pins support a beam cover 37 acting as joint between the flat elements of outer finishing 26, with snap insulating connections 38 arranged at the respective edges (figure 7) .

The third box-like elements 34 then constitute the stoppers 10, for closing the openings of the joints 5 faced outwards, and the framework elements 11 of figure 2.

With the above-described arrangement, it is possible implementing an outer cladding of a complex frame, thus by forming a complex building, almost suitable to any climatic area: it is sufficient selecting suitable insulating materials and suitable thicknesses without intervening on the frame.

Furthermore, whatever the thicknesses and the materials selected to adequate the cladding to the climatic area are, the inner sizes of the module frame remain the same, so that it is possible planning different types of module frame, equipped with inner panels and floors, without the design being influenced in any way by the target climatic area .

In the same way, the widest selection freedom remains, as far as the outer boarding is concerned, which could or could not participate in the overall thermal insulation, or otherwise it could be destined to decorations or finishings of any type or to the implementation of photovoltaic panels.

The above-described components will be treated in order to have fireproofing, anti-intumescent features, and to be protected from corrosion.

To the above-described cladding of a modular frame structure a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy additional and contingent needs, could introduce several additional modifications and variants, all however comprised within the protection scope of the present invention, as defined by the enclosed claims.