The invention relates to the construction of low-rise buildings. Low-rise buildings are currently built of logs, sawn timber and panels, as well as components made from these. An aim in the art has been to use prefabricated parts from which a completed building can be obtained rapidly and with little labour. Packages of log and sawn-timber houses to be assembled from prefabricated components have been developed.

Although some kind of instant erecting has been achieved with "turnkey" buildings the assembling of the parts and the electric, HEPAC and interior works of the buildings do require professional skill and a great deal of detailed craftsmanship, as well as a large number of working hours. The manufacturing runs are small, which for its part increases the share of design work per building.

Overall, it can also be noted what where simple methods and savings in costs have been achieved in the building industry, this has inexcusably often meant a considerable lowering of the standard of quality of the buildings.

An object of the present invention is thus to provide a building component which has at the factory been fabricated to the final dimensions with dimensional accuracy and been equipped with any necessary accessories, such as surface treatment, electric, telecommunications and HEPAC wiring and piping. Owing to their dimensional accuracy and structure the components can simply and rapidly be stacked one on top of another, and thus a complete wall with finish be obtained. The work can be carried out by a person without special skills, and nevertheless the result of the work will be both technically and visually at the level of earlier craftsmanship, or even better.

This is achieved by means of a building component according to the invention, the principal characteristics of which are stated in the characterizing clause of accompanying Claim 1.

The building component according to the invention is thus a log-like component which has a mainly vertical exterior side surface and a vertical interior side surface,

between these an insulation part and members interconnecting the insulation part and the said side surfaces. The insulation part of the building component is a load- bearing structure which receives a vertical load, the structure having substantially the height of the component but being so narrow that at least on one side of the insulation part, between the insulation part and the exterior and/or interior side surface, there is a void. In the void or voids there are transverse members which are attached to the side surface or the side surfaces and to the insulation part. The building components are so designed that they can be stacked in a self-locating manner one on top of another to foim a loadbearing structure.

The building component according to the invention is a fully prefabricated part of a completed building. Its exterior side surface has received the desired surfacing at the factory, as has its interior side surface. The exterior side surface and the interior side surface are preferably moulded. The exterior surface may be of a wood veneer, a wood compound, a stone compound, or a recycled compound consisting of various materials. The surface may be given any treatment at the factory. The interior surface is preferably of the same material as the exterior surface, but it can be given any surface treatment, such as painting, wallpapering, panelling, etc., at the factory. The side surfaces may be given any profile, for example, an ornamental profile.

A low-rise building erected from log-like building components according to the invention primarily resembles a building made of panel boarding. With different surface treatments and shapes of the component, highly different effects can be achieved.

The insulation part of the building component constitutes the loadbearing structure of the component and alone provides the necessary thermal and other insulation.

The insulation part is a closed watertight casing inside the component. The core of the insulation part is, for example, of mineral wool, and there is a loadbearing board on the side surfaces of the core. The core is preferably of cellular plastic or mineral wool, and the loadbearing boards are preferably plywood boards. The core may alternatively be the loadbearing element of the insulation part, in which case it is, for example, of structural mineral wool in which the orientation of the fibre planes is vertical. In this case there may be some airtight film or sheet on the side surfaces of the insulation part.

Between the insulation part and one or both of the side surfaces there is a void in which all the necessary piping and wiring of the building, such as electrical,

telecommunications, data network and HEPAC wiring and piping, can be installed.

In building components stacked one on top of another, these voids communicate via openings in the transverse members attached to the side surfaces and to the insulation part. Thus there is formed between the insulation part and the side surface a continuous air space which ventilates the walls of the void.

The building component is designed to self-locate on top of the component under it.

The upper and lower surfaces of the components are designed so as to interlock by overlap or by shape, and thus no errors will occur in the stacking of the components one on top of another; they will self-locate one on top of another, with accuracy in the transverse orientation of the component. Alternatively, if the upper and lower sides of the components are not thus designed, an auxiliary device can be used, which is pushed through openings in the transverse members in order to guide the components one on top of another, with accuracy in the transverse orientation.

Longitudinal locating is carried out, for example, according to markings made on the components or according to the building drawings.

Owing to the prefabrication of the building components, they are absolutely accurate dimensionally, and therefore no difficulties due to dimensional deviation will arise in their assembling.

Construction using the building component according to the invention becomes as easy as a children's game. The components are light to handle, and can be lifted even by one person. The components adhere to one another by mere gravity. It is also possible to use an adhesive to fasten the components to one another. Adhesive is applied on one or both of the surfaces coming against each other, or alternatively the surfaces may be provided in advance with an adhesive strip having a removable covering. Additionally or alternatively, fasteners passed through openings in the components can be used as fastening means.

Correct construction is automatic, since the components have in advance the correct surface treatments, moisture barriers, ventilation gaps, etc. Making different inlays or cut-outs is easy even by using simple tools. Electrical and heating installations and, when necessary, data network installations, are made in the components at the factory. All that needs to be done when the components are assembled together is to fasten the lacking connection equipment in place.

According to calculations, an externally and internally surface-finished detached house equipped with all electrical, water supply and heating equipment can be

erected within a time which is only about 1/20, i.e. a small fraction, of the time which is taken by the erecting of a colTesponding detached house.

The most significant advantage of the invention is that a completed wall is produced rapidly and at low construction costs. The construction is inexpensive and the end result is always good. By methods of system building, a wall surface is ac- complished which visually and technically resembles a wall produced by conventional wood-building methods and has all the advantages provided by traditional wood building methods, but is in some respects technically even better.

The exterior surface of a wall erected from such insulated, log-like building components resembles a panel-boarded surface, the profile of which can be freely selected. Alternatively the wall may be completely smooth. The surfacing attached to the moulded surface may be almost any surface material.

In regions and countries in which skilled labour is not available or in which such labour is very expensive, construction will take place in a completely new situation.

Construction is inexpensive, rapid and of a high standard even when done with a limited labour force.

Owing to its dimensional accuracy, the building component enables comprehensive deliveries to be made, including even the smallest part of the delivery. In principle no sawdust will be produced on the construction site.

The building component according to the invention provides an opportunity to produce wooden buildings in a centralized manner in one place in large production runs. The components can also be obtained in an optimal form, and they are easy to transport even over long distances.

In the most preferred embodiment, the exterior side surface and the interior side surface of the building component and the interconnecting upper surface of the component have been moulded as one piece, i.e. the shell part of the component.

The self-locating means of the component, as well as any side surface embellishments based on shape, can be produced simply by moulding.

The shell part of the building component may be of a wood veneer, a wood compound, a stone compound, a recycled compound, plastic or any other similar material.

Building component shell part made of a wood veneer The shell part of the component may be made of a wood veneer, in which case its properties will primarily resemble those of a solid-wood panel, although without certain drawbacks of solid wood. The desired outer appearance is achieved by the selection of the surface veneer. If cross-banded, compressed wood will change dimension and crack considerably less than does solid wood, and is thus a less problematic and better base for surface treatment, such as painting. As a painting base, compressed wood can be made even better by laminating, for example, a resin paper onto the surface of the compressed wood. The painting conditions and the paint chemistry used can be optimized, since the painting takes place at the factory.

The durability of the paint surface is thus largely dependent on the durability of the paint material itself.

Building component shell part made of a wood compound The shell part of the component may be made of a wood compound, such as a mdf (middle density fibre) or hdf (high density fibre) compound. A compressed wood compound is considerably less costly than compressed laminated wood. When using a compressed wood compound, clear resemblance to wood is not achieved but, in- stead, many other good properties are obtained. If the surface is veneered, even the outer appearance of wood can be achieved.

The vertical profile of the shell part is easy to work to the desired shape. The painting properties of compressed wood compounds (mdf) are better than those of any other wood product. Depending on its composition, a compressed wood compound provides wider possibilities for affecting fire and weather resistance.

Other material options The shell part of the building component may in principle be made of any compound which in its technical properties is suitable for the desired shape and use.

Various compressed stone and plastic materials which are used in, for example, sanitary ware are highly usable as the raw material of the shell part.

It is also possible to make the shell part from a recycled compound, especially for regions in which the required standards are not as high as in Finland. Such regions include the developing countries, disaster areas, temporary construction for a project, i.e. all uses in which the construction must be inexpensive and rapid.

The fire resistance of the building component can be increased substantially by laminating a thin metal layer under the surface veneer. The metal layer can also be attached as the surface layer of the compressed material if it is desired to give the component special properties in, for example, cold storages or the like. Usable surfacing alternatives also include all other known methods of the wood and compressed-material industry, such as forming various films on the surface, for example, melamine films, plastic laminates, and PVC coatings.

The building component according to the invention is additionally ecological. It is made from a renewable natural resource. It is thermally economical. Its paint surface will last considerably longer than those of conventional buildings. The construction of a building produces waste in only one place, i.e. the manufactuIing factory, and so the waste problem is easier to solve. It is packed only once and transported only once, i.e. to the construction site.

A number of preferred embodiments of building components according to the invention are described below in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 depicts a vertical section of a building component according to the invention; Figure 2 depicts a vertical section of two building components according to the invention, placed one on top of the other, and above them a building component before its being lowered on top of the former two; Figure 3 depicts a partial horizontal section of Figure 1, through III: Figure 4 depicts a partial horizontal section of Figure 1, through IV; Figure 5 depicts as a perspective representation of the building component according to Figure 1; Figure 6 depicts a building component according to another embodiment, wherein the side surfaces of the component have another shape; Figure 7 depicts a building component according to another embodiment, wherein the side surfaces of the component have a further other shape; Figure 8 depicts three building components according to another embodiment, in the state according to Figure 2; in these components the upper surface of the component and the side surfaces of the component are separate pieces; Figure 9 depicts a building component according to another embodiment, without an upper surface;

Figure 10 depicts three building components according to Figure 9. in the state according to Figure 2; Figure 11 depicts a horizontal section through Xl-Xl in Figure 10; Figure 12 depicts a building component according to another embodiment, without a lower surface; Figure 13 depicts three building components according to Figure 12, in the state according to Figure 2; Figure 14 depicts a horizontal section through XIV-XIV in Figure 13; Figure 15 depicts a building component according to another embodiment, without both an upper surface and a lower surface; Figure 16 depicts three building components according to Figure 15, in the state according to Figure 2; Figure 17 depicts a horizontal section through XVII-XVII in Figure 16; Figure 18 depicts a horizontal section through XVIII-XVIII in Figure 16; Figure 19 depicts two building components according to a further embodiment, without the self-locating means formed by the side surfaces, in a state in which the components are at a small vertical distance from each other; Figure 20 depicts, in the manner according to Figure 19, two building components according to another embodiment, in which there are self-locating means in only one of the side surfaces; and Figure 21 depicts, in the manner according to Figure 19, two building components according to another embodiment, in which the self-locating means are formed in the upper surface and the lower surface of the component.

The building component according to Figures 1-5 is the best embodiment of the invention, comprising all the solutions according to the invention optimally implemented. The log-like component is indicated by numeral 10. The component comprises a loadbearing insulation part 1, which is enclosed between a moulded shell part 9 and a lower surface 6. The insulation part comprises a core 2 of an insulation material and, fastened to its side surfaces, loadbearing boards 3. The shell 9 comprises an exterior side surface 7 and an interior side surface 8 of the component, and an upper surface 5 integral with these. The lower surface 6 has a U- shaped cross section, and its branches 11 are attached to the inner surface of the side surfaces 7, 8 of the component.

The upper edges of the side surfaces 7, 8 of the component are inwardly slanted so that the side surfaces have an inwardly bent section 12 and above it a vertical section 13. The lower edges of both side surfaces 7, 8 extend to a point somewhat

below the lower surface 6. Thus there is formed between the lower surface 6 and the lower sections of the side surfaces 7, 8 a space into which a component upper section made up of the upper edges of side walls 7, 8 and the upper surface 5 of the component fit with accuracy of shape. Owing to this fit the components are self- located one on top of the other accurately in the orientation of the width of the component. Owing to shape-locking and to gravity, the components adhere so well to each other that other fastening means are not necessarily needed.

The voids between the boards 3 of the insulation part 1 and the side surfaces of the component are indicated by numeral 14. In the upper surface 5 and lower surface 6 of the component there are openings 15 in the region of the voids 14. The openings are oblong and the distance between the openings is smaller, preferably significantly smaller, than the length of an opening. Thus an air space communication between components one on top of the other is formed via the openings 15, since the upper and, respectively, lower surfaces of two components one on top of the other touch each other so that their openings are at least in part one on top of the other, regardless of the longitudinal position of the components relative to each other.

This air space communication ensures ventilation of the component. The air space communication enables wiring and piping to be run from one component level to another. The void 14 itself enables piping and wiring to be run concealed inside the walls. The openings in contact with one another also enable mechanical fastening means to be used.

The core 2 of the insulation part 1 is, for example, of mineral wool or cellular plastic, and the boards 3 attached to it are preferably plywood. The shell part 9 is of some compound suitable for the purpose, suitable for moulding. The lower surface 6 of the component is preferably of the same compound, but it may also be of a different material. The upper and the lower surfaces 5 and 6 are against the in- sulation part or are fastened to it, and the branches 11 of the lower surface are fas- tened to the inside of the side surfaces 7, 8.

Figures 1-4 are depicted approximately on the scale 1:2. The width of the component is thus preferably approx. 250 - 300 mm and its height preferably approx. 150-180 mm. It is clear that the dimensions of the components have no substantial effect on its structure and functioning. The component is preferably manufactured in lengths of approx. 3-4 m. The optimal manufacturing length is determined on the basis of experience and the facilities of the factory. Components can be extended at the construction stage, for example, so that two successive com-

ponents are interconnected, preferably by using a suitable intermediate piece. The intermediate piece is fitted inside opposite log ends in means fitted for the purpose, for example in recesses formed in the insulation part, which the intermediate piece will engage when the logs are pushed accurately against each other. The inter- mediate piece may be of metal, plastic, wood or other suitable material. In order to maintain full insulation efficiency, the intermediate piece is fitted precisely to fill the space formed for it.

The thickness of the shell part 9, as well as of the lower surface, is in the order of 8- 16 mm. The length of the self-locating means, i.e. the height of the overlap of components one on top of the other, is approx. 20 mm. The height of the narrowed upper section of the component is slightly greater, i.e. approx. 35-40 mm. Owing to this height difference there forms in the wall surface a groove 16, which has an ornamental effect. It is clear that the dimensions mentioned here also do not have a substantial effect on the structure and functioning of the component; they may vary, depending on various factors.

The dimensions of the core 2 of the insulation part 1 depend on the use of the component. Likewise, the thickness of the loadbearing boards 3 is fully dependent on the intended use.

Figure 2 shows the placing of components one on top of another and their self- locating, and their shape-locking to each other.

Figures 3 and 4 depict horizontal sections of the building component according to Figure 1, through III-III and IV-IV. The upper and lower surfaces 5 and 6 of the component have oblong openings 15 in a row in the region of the voids 14. The openings are oblong, and their length is substantially greater than the distance between the openings. Thus it is ensured that a continuous air space is formed regardless of the longitudinal positioning of the components.

Figure 5 depicts a perspective representation of the building component according to Figures 1-4.

The embodiments according to Figures 6 and 7 have side surfaces of different shapes. In Figure 6 the interior side surface 17 is smooth and slightly downwardly and outwardly slanted. Owing to the slant the upper section of the component is narrower than the lower section which receives an upper section and fits together with it with accuracy of shape. The branch part 18 of the lower surface is respectively inwardly slanted.

In Figure 6 the middle section of the exterior side surface 19 is profiled to fornl an indefinite ornamental motif.

In Figure 7 the exterior side surface 20 is slightly curved below the overlapping area. A groove 21 is formed in the overlapping area. The interior side surface 22 is vertical, and the self-locating means are formed so that no groove is produced; the wall continues smooth in the wall surface formed by successive components.

Figure 8 depicts an embodiment according to the invention, wherein the side surfaces 23 and 24 of the component are separate pieces and the upper and lower surfaces 25 and 26 of the component are separate pieces. The side surfaces are preferably moulded, the upper and lower surfaces being straight boards. The side surfaces are preferably slightly thicker than the upper and lower surfaces. The upper edge region of the side surfaces is inwardly slanted at point 27 and is vertical above point 27 in region 28. At the lower edge region 29 there is respectively a widening effected by the removal of a strip from the inside of the surfaces. The upper surface 25 is preferably fastened both to the insulation part and to the end surfaces of the side surfaces, and the lower surface respectively to the insulation part and to the notched end surface 30 of the side surfaces. The upper surface and the lower surface are of the same width. Thus the narrowed upper section of the component fits with accuracy of shape in the notched point of the lower edge region, and surfaces 25 and 26 adhere to each other. Owing to the dimensions used, a groove 3 1 is formed below the overlapping area.

The upper and lower surfaces 25, 26 may be of a material different from or the same as that of the side surfaces.

Figures 9-18 depict building components according to the invention, wherein the insulation part is covered by only an upper surface or only a lower surface, or neither.

The most preferred embodiments of the invention are those in which the insulation part is a sealed casing. This is the case in the embodiments according to Figures 1-8.

There is a plywood board 3 fixedly fastened to the side surfaces 7 and 8 of the insu- lation part, and the upper surface and respectively the lower surface 5 and 6 of the building component bear against the upper and lower surface of the insulation part or are fixedly fastened thereto. In place of the plywood board there may be a film or some other board, if the core of the insulation part constitutes a loadbearing

structure. The fastening of the surfaces to the insulation part is carried out by some method known per se, for example by lamination.

The casing-like character of the insulation part increases its sturdiness and thereby its strength. Its air-tightness is likewise ensured, provided of course that the side surfaces are air-tight.

However, the invention may also be applied so that the building component comprises only a lower surface or only an upper surface. Figures 9-11 depict a building component without an upper surface and Figures 12-14, respectively, without a lower surface.

In a wall 31, Figure 10, formed from building components according to Figure 9, the air-tightness of the insulation part is ensured, since the insulation parts 1, between which there is always one lower surface 6 of a component, bear one on an- other. The fastening of the building components to one other and their self-location is preferably achieved so that the side surfaces 7 and 8 of the component and its lower surface 6 are formed as one piece in which the corner regions 32 between the surfaces are reinforced. In the two corner regions 32 there are formed receiving notches 33 for receiving the upper edges of the side surfaces of the component below. The distance between the upper edges has been narrowed by forming in the side surfaces a slight inward bend 12, from which the side surfaces continue vertically upwards. The side surfaces 7 and 8 thus overlap in the same manner as, for example, in the embodiment according to Figure 2.

Figure 11 depicts a horizontal section through XI-XI, which shows that the openings 15 in the lower surface 6 extend somewhat into the corner region 32.

Figures 12-14 depict a corresponding system with the difference that the building component has only an upper surface but no lower surface. The side surfaces 7 and 8 are integral with the upper surface 5. The distance between the upper edges of the side surfaces 7 and 8 has again been shortened by forming in the side surfaces an inward bend 12, from which the side surfaces continue vertically upwards. At the lower edges of the side surfaces there has been formed a reinforcement 34 having a triangular cross-section, with the base downwards. In the base of the reinforcement 34 there is a small notch 35 at the level of the lower edge of the insulation part. On one side of the notch 35 the side surface 7, 8 of the component continues sub- stantially to a point below the lower edge of the insulation part. In the upper surface of the component there is another small notch 37 for that part 36 of the

reinforcement 34 which is on the other side of notch 35. Vhen components are fitted one on top of another, the upper surface 5 of a component and the side wall lower edges with their reinforcements 34 will interlock with accuracy of shape. The insulation part 1 is completely enclosed between the upper surfaces 5, and the sturdiness of the structure is ensured by the said shape-locking.

Figure 14 depicts a horizontal section through XIV-XIV, showing that the openings 15 fit within the area between the notch 37 and the insulation part.

Figures 15-18 depict an embodiment of the building component, which has neither an upper nor a lower surface of the component. Instead, the side surface 7 of the component is profile-structured in such a way that between the side surface 7 and the insulation part 2 there are two L-shaped profiles 38 and 39, the fonner upwardly oriented within the upper edge region of the side surface and the latter downwardly oriented within the lower edge region. Within the upper region of the side surface 7 there is an inward bend 12, above which the side surface continues in the vertical orientation. The lower edge of the side surface continues substantially to a point below the lower edge of the insulation part.

The other side surface 43 of the component is fastened directly to the side surface of the insulation part. It has the same height as the insulation part 9, but is slightly translocated downwards. Thus the component self-locates at the correct point on top of the previous component and is shape-locked in that position owing to the overlapping side surfaces 7 and 43. The insulation parts bear directly one on another.

Cross-sectional Figures 17 and 18 show that the openings 15 are formed in the horizontal parts of the profiles 38 and 39. Side surface 7 here constitutes the exterior side surface, and side surface 8 the interior side surface. Side surface 8 may be, for example, a gypsum board or other similar board suitable for an interior wall.

Side surface 7, which has horizontal parts made up of profiles 38 and 39, with openings 15, cannot be replaced by a side surface fastened directly to the insulation part. In such a case the ventilation provided by the continuous air space would be lacking, and thus the wall structure would be non-functional.

On the other hand, side surface 8, which is fastened to the insulation part, may be replaced with a profile wall 7, 38, 39. In such a case the continuous air spaces of the interior wall can be used for running wiring and piping concealed in the wall.

Figures 1 9-2 I depict building component embodiments in which the self-locating means have been provided in another way.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 19, neither side surface 7 and 8 has self-locating means. At the construction stage the openings 15 in the upper and lower surfaces can be taken advantage of in such a way that an auxiliary device, the largest cross- sectional dimension of which corresponds to the smallest diameter of the opening, is fitted into openings which are one on top of another. In this manner the components can be caused to settle directly in a position one on top of another. The components may be fastened to one another by using an adhesive and/or fasteners (not shown in the figures) engaging the openings.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 20, one of the side surfaces has self-locating means, for example, in accordance with Figure 1, whereas self-locating means are lacking in the other side surface 40. By using one-sided self-locating means the settling of the components one on top of another can be achieved successfully with relative ease. Fastening is carried out in the same manner as in the case according to Figure 19.

In the embodiment depicted in Figure 21, neither side wall has self-locating means.

Instead, a projection 41 and a corresponding notch 42 have been formed in the lower surface and, respectively, the upper surface of the component. "Automatic" locating is achieved by these means.

It is clear that the design and equipment of the building component according to the invention may be varied widely within the accompanying claims, according to the intended use.

It is also clear that the term "low-rise building" must not be understood as referring only to a detached house; the intended buildings may be any halls, industrial buildings, schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, etc.

A building component according to the invention may, owing to its technical properties and variability, be exploited in many other areas.