MATE LINE CLOSURE AND AESTHETIC STRUCTURAL EMBELLISHMENT
A mate line closure and aesthetic structural embellishment for structures, included modular buildings. A pair of elongated modular elements, forming part of a modular unit, are provided, having junction ends proximate one another when assembled as the modular unit. A key joins the modular elements at the junction ends, the key forming a finished union with opposite side plates and a bottom plate. The modular unit is installed in portions in a building, such as at a mate line, and is preferably secured to an under support installed before the elements of the modular unit are then installed.
This invention relates to a mate line closure for modular buildings and the like, as well as an architectural embellishment that can be installed anywhere in a structure, whether a modular building or otherwise.
Modular buildings and modular housing, as the names suggest, are formed of elements that are joined together in one fashion or another. Often, the joints in the interior of the structure are hidden by conventional means, such as applying drywall mud to seal any cracks where modular sections are joined. However, due to the modularity of the structures, and temperature variations, as well as settling, often cracks reappear resulting in an unsightly final structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is directed to an aesthetic structural embellishment, comprising a pair of elongated modular elements, each modular element comprising a portion of a modular unit, with the modular elements having junction ends proximate one another when comprising the modular unit. A key is provided, forming a union of the modular elements at the junction ends, with the key covering at least a portion of the modular elements at the junction ends.
In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, each modular element comprises spaced opposite panels. A panel spreader is located between the panels, maintaining a pre-determined spacing between the panels, and the panels are affixed to the spreader. A cover is provided for, and extending essentially co-terminally with, the panels. A filler, such as foam, may be added, substantially occupying space between the panels.
In one form of the invention, the key comprises opposite side plates and a bottom plate. A spreader segment may be provided, extending between and normal to the side plates.
Preferably an end cap is provided for each of the modular elements. Depending on the architectural requirements, in one form of the invention, the cap comprises a bonnet. In another form of the invention, the cap comprises an architectural pillar. For further architectural interest, an architectural column may be associated with each modular element.
To accommodate irregularities in structures, an elongated spacer can be provided for one side of the modular unit. The spacer is just as its name suggests, something to fill what otherwise would be a void.
In all forms of the invention, it is preferred that an under support be first secured to the structure with the modular elements then secured to the under support. The under support comprises a top member and opposite side members.
The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
A pair of elongated modular elements 22 and 24 comprise portions of a modular unit. The modular elements 22 and 24 may be identical, each comprising spaced opposite panels 26 and 28 with a horizontal panel spreader 30 and vertical panel spreader 32 to which the panels 26 and 28 are appropriately affixed, such as by conventional means, whether it be adhesives, fasteners or any combination thereof, or any other type of fastening of two elements together.
Although not illustrated in
Also if desired, each of the modular elements 22 and 24 may be filled with an appropriate filler 40, such as foam or any other similar material. The filler 40 occupies space between the panels 26 and 28, substantially filling any voids between the panels, lending to structural stability of the structural embellishment 10.
Once the under support 14 is in place, the modular elements 22 and 24 are then mounted, as illustrated in
Once the modular elements 22 and 24 are in place, the key 47 is applied by means of the side plates 48 and 50, and then, to cover the full length side members 18′ and 20′, opposite end caps 54 and 56 are applied. The end caps 54 and 56 are full length, comprising architectural pillars. To complete the installation, architectural columns 58 associated with each of the modular elements 22 and 24 conclude the installation.
Also illustrated in
Once the top member 16, and side members 18 and 20, are in place, the modular elements 22 and 24 are then installed, and to accommodate the uneven junction between the modular sections 82 and 84, one side of the modular elements 22 and 24 also includes an elongated spacer 90.
In the version of the invention illustrated in
A bonnet end cap is shown in
Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An aesthetic structural embellishment, comprising
- a. a pair of elongated modular elements, each modular element comprising a portion of a modular unit, said modular elements having junction ends proximate one another when comprising said modular unit,
- b. a key forming a union of said modular elements at said junction ends, said key covering at least a portion of said modular elements at said junction ends.
2. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 1, in which each modular element comprises spaced, opposite panels.
3. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 2, including a panel spreader maintaining a predetermined spacing between said panels, and to which said panels are affixed.
4. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 2, including a cover for and extending essentially co-terminally with said panels.
5. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 1, in which said key comprises opposite side plates and a bottom plate.
6. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 1, in which said key comprises opposite side plates.
7. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 6, including a spreader segment extending between and normal to said side plates.
8. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 1, including an end cap for each modular element.
9. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 8, in which said end cap comprises a bonnet.
10. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 8, in which said end cap comprises an architectural pillar.
11. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 1, including an architectural column associated with each modular element.
12. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 1, including an elongated spacer for one side of said modular unit.
13. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 1, including an under support for said modular elements to which said modular elements are secured.
14. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 13, in which said under support comprises a top member and opposite side members.
15. An aesthetic structural embellishment, comprising
- a. a pair of elongated modular elements, each modular element comprising a portion of a modular unit, and each modular element comprising i. spaced, opposite panels, ii. a panel spreader maintaining a predetermined spacing between said panels, iii. a cover for said panels, and iv. a filler substantially occupying space between said
- panels,
- b. an under support for said modular elements to which said modular elements are secured,
- c. a key forming a union of said modular elements at said junction ends, said key covering at least a portion of said modular elements at said junction ends, and
- d. an end cap for each modular element.
16. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 15, in which said key comprises opposite side plates and a bottom plate.
17. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 15, in which said key comprises opposite side plates.
18. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 17, including a spreader segment extending between and normal to said side plates.
19. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 15, in which said end cap comprises a bonnet.
20. The aesthetic structural embellishment according to claim 15, in which said end cap comprises an architectural pillar.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 7, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 10, 2009
Inventor: R. Douglas Sapen (South Bend, IN)
Application Number: 12/044,100
International Classification: E04F 19/00 (20060101); E04C 2/34 (20060101);