AU2008207466A1 - Multiple Joining Systems for the Roof and the Walls for Relocatable Buildings - Google Patents

Description

00 1 MULTIPLE JOINING SYSTEMS FOR THE ROOF AND THE WALLS FOR RELOCATABLE

BUILDINGS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [00011 The present invention relates generally to buildings and their methods 00 of construction and assembly. The invention is particularly concerned with prefabricated, modular or relocatable buildings.

2. Description of the Art [00021 In remote areas the design and construction of conventional buildings with available materials by a local, largely unskilled workforce may be a labour intensive and expensive exercise resulting in an unsatisfactory building.

[00031 Prefabricated, kit form and/or relocatable buildings that are available often require a small but skilled workforce for siting and construction of the building.

These buildings are often prohibitively expensive given the expected service life of the building. In addition such buildings lack aesthetic appeal and are not amenable to design changes that may be readily applied on site during construction or requested to suit local requirements.

[00041 Building construction in an area may be required to be deployed rapidly, to budget and in a manner that is sensitive to the desires, capabilities and resources of the local area. Present buildings and construction methods are lacking in this regard.

100051 None of the prior art buildings and methods of construction provides an entirely satisfactory solution to the provision of an economical, prefabricated, kit form and/or relocatable buildings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 10006] The present invention aims to provide an alternative building arrangement and method of construction which overcomes or ameliorates the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful choice.

00 2 1[00071 In one form, the invention provides a building constructed from three groups of components and a floor, the respective groups of components being: a first ci group of connection components, a second group of components of wall panels and a third group of components of roof panels. Where: the floor is connected to a IDfoundation, a wall panel may have a door or window/s. The connection components are adapted to interconnect the wall panels, floor and roof panels to form a building [00081 Preferably the connection components include: channel components, a oO roof hip connection component, lintel connection components, joining plate connection components and vertical edge connection components for connection adjoining wall panels. The roof hip connection component may include a first channel component and a second channel component joined to form a connection component.

Where for the roof hip connection the first and second channel components are each adapted to receive one or more roof panels.

[0009] Preferably the vertical edge connection components include a wall hip connection component and two or three channel components joined to form a connection component in either a or configuration. The lintel connection components may include a lintel connection component with formed sections for a fascia adapted to lie adjacent the end of a roof panel and a liner connected to the fascia and adapted to lie parallel with the major plane of the roof panel. The first group of components include fasteners and securing methods and means for connecting the first group of components to the second and third group of components.

[00101 The present invention also provides a connection component comprising a first channel component and a second channel component joined to form a connection component, where the first and second channel components are each adapted to receive one or more roof panels or one or more wall panels.

10011] The present invention also provides a lintel connection component including formed sections for a fascia adapted to lie adjacent the end of a roof panel and a liner connected to the fascia and adapted to lie parallel with the major plane of the roof panel.

[00121 The present invention also provides a method for constructing a building from three groups of components and a floor where:a first group of connection components, a second group of components of wall panels and 00 3 a third group of components of roof panels. Where: the floor is connected to a foundation, a wall panel may have a door or window/s and the connection components Sare adapted to interconnect the wall panels, floor and roof panels to form a building [0013] Preferably the method includes in the connection components: IO fasteners and securing methods/means for connecting the first group of components to the second and third group of components.

[0014] The present invention also provides a building as substantially 00oO described herein.

[00151 The present invention also provides a method of constructing a building being substantially as herein described.

10016] Further forms of the invention are as set out in the appended claims and as apparent from the description.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00171 The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings; of which: [00181 FIGS 1 to 7 are schematics in perspective view of the broad steps in construction of building according to an embodiment of the invention.

[00191 FIG 8 is a schematic in cross-section, showing a footing that may be used with the invention.

[00201 FIGS 9 to 25 are schematics in various views of the connection components for an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIGS 26 to 28B are schematics in cross-section of wall panels in various embodiments with various embodiments of the connection components or various joining techniques.

[00221 FIG 29 is a schematic of a cross section of a roof panel in an embodiment of the invention.

[00231 FIG 30 is a schematic of a stylised perspective view of a 4 unit building accommodation in an embodiment of the invention.

00 4 [00241 FIGS 31 to 33 are schematic in cross-sectional of roof connection Z components used with roof panels in an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG 34 is a schematic of a 4 unit building accommodation illustrating a floor plan cross-section along the line B-B of fig O [0026] FIG 35 is a schematic of a 4 unit building accommodation in crosssection along the line A-A of fig [0027] FIG 36 is a schematic of a partial view of a 4 unit building 00oO accommodation in cross-section along the line C-C of fig [0028] FIG 37 is an alternate embodiment of fig 36 10029] FIGS 38 to 46 schematically illustrate a two bedroom family home in an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00301 A building invention including three groups of components and a floor.

The three groups of components and the floor may be combined in a flexible fashion to form a building of a particular design and purpose.

[0031] The floor and associated foundations are described in detail below with respect to figs 1 to 8. The first group of components includes a range of connection components specifically conceived and constructed for the building invention. The range of connection components is described in detail below with respect to figs 9 to 28A. The second group of components includes a range of wall panels to suit the range of connection components. The range of wall panel components is described below in detail with respect to figs 26 to 28B. The third group of components includes a range of roof panels to suit the range of connection components. The range of roof panel components is described below in detail with respect to fig 29.

[0032] The connection components with appropriate fasteners, as selected by a person skilled in the art, are used to connect the wall panel components, the roof panel components and the floor to form the desired building.

Person Skilled in the Art.

[0033] The person skilled in the art as referred to in this specification may be a licensed or accredited Builder who is skilled in building construction. The person 00 skilled in the arte may also be a Structural Engineer skilled in building design and construction methods and materials. The person skilled in the art is taken to be familiar with the relevant local and national building standards for example the Australian building standards as published by the Australian Standards Association.

IDThe person skilled in the art may also readily interpret and apply the explicit and implied instructions given in technical drawings and accompanying general notes as given in figs 38 to 46 by way of example.

00o [00341 The person skilled in the art may select or use from any one of many 0widely available fasteners or securing methods suitable for use with the connection components. For example screws, rivets, stapling, nailing, adhesives and sealants and/or nailing. Preferably the person skilled in the art may use as a fastener self drilling and tapping screws, commonly referred to in the building construction trade as "tex" screws. These may be applied with a cordless electric impact driver wrench.

An advantage of the self drilling and tapping screw fastener is that it enables a building constructed using them to be readily disassembled.

[00351 The materials for the construction of the building invention may be as selected by the person skilled in the art from any one of the many widely available building materials available in accordance with the invention..

Broad Construction Example [0036] Figs 1 to 7 are perspective views which broadly illustrate the construction of a building by the use of the invention. The building in figs 1 to 7 may be used as a two bedroom family home. Fig 1 illustrates the laying of the foundation survey lines 110 of the building. The footings 112 of the foundation may then be constructed; by way of example these are described in detail below with respect to fig 8. Plumbing and electrical services (not shown) may also be laid at this point.

[00371 Fig 2 illustrates the construction of sub floor bearers and joists 210 as would be constructed by a person skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment galvanised steel bearers and joists may be used and the sub floor construction may be partially or fully prefabricated.

[00381 Fig 3 illustrates the placement and securing of the floor 310 across the sub floor 210. The floor 310 in a preferred embodiment may be a plywood sheet; 00 6 bJ however a person skilled in the art may select any number of other flooring options as ;Z suited for a particular building design. Fastened to floor 310 are connection components in the form of bottom plate channels 312, which are described in detail below with respect to figs 9 to 13. The bottom plate channels 312 are used to connect IDthe wall panels to the floor 310.

1[0039] In an alternate embodiment the footings 112, sub floor 210 and floor C310 may be substituted for an appropriate concrete slab as constructed by a person 00oO skilled in the art.

100401 Fig 4 illustrates the installation of external wall panels 410 into the bottom plate channels 312. The connection components used between adjoining wall panels 410 is described below with respect to figs 9 to 28A. A wall panel 410 may have a door 412 and/or a window 414, 416. The windows may be in the form of sliding plate glass 414 or louvres 416. The doors 412 and/or windows 414, 416 may be prefabricated into the external wall panels 410 or installed on site by a person skilled in the art or someone under their direction. Shade posts 418 for a shade cloth (not shown) are secured to the sub floor 210 as required by a person skilled in the art.

[00411 Fig 5 illustrates the installation of internal wall panels 510. The securing of the internal wall panels is described below with respect to figs 9 to 28A.

[0042] Fig 6 illustrates the installation of the two lintel connection components 610 and the roof hip connection channel connection component 612 that are used to secure the roof panels to be mentioned in fig 7 below. 12mm booker rod (not shown) that may be installed within the external wall panels 410 so as to provide anchor (or tie) rods between the two lintels 610 and the subfloor 210. A person skilled in the art may also select from a range of other anchor or tie rod options as appropriate.

[0043] Fig 7 illustrates the installation of multiple roof panels 710 to form the roof. Optionally a shade cloth 712 may be secured to the shade posts 418 to provide a shaded outdoor recreational area.

Miscellaneous Services [0044] Plumbing and electrical service connections and fittings may be supplied through the walls 410, 510 and floor 310 as commonly directed by a person 00 7 skilled in the art. Guttering, downpipes and stormwater fittings may also be applied as commonly directed by a person skilled in the art.

Footings INO [0045] Fig 8 illustrates an optional footing 112, to form the foundation, that may be used as described above with respect to figs 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment a hole 810, to be filled with concrete, is bored into the ground 812. The oO hole 810 may have dimensions of diameter 814 of 450mm and depth 816 of 1200mm.

The hole 810 is filled with concrete 818 into which a PVC pipe 820 (preferably 150mm diameter and 3mm wall thickness) is inserted as shown. The pipe 820 has a cut out 822 to aid in lateral stability. The pipe 820 is then filled with concrete 818 to the top of the pipe. An anchor bolt 824 is inserted into the concrete 818 at the top of the pipe 820 to a sufficient depth and temporarily secured in place until the concrete 818 cures. Once the concrete 818 is cured the subfloor bearer 210 may be rested on the top of the concrete within the pipe 820 as shown. The subfloor bearer 210 may then be secured by a suitable fixture 826 to the anchor bolt 824.

Connection Components [0046] Figs 9 to 25 illustrate the connection components as first group of components. Each connection component was specifically conceived and constructed as part of the invention. The connection components are preferably constructed of 1.6 mm zinc coated, cold formed steel. However a person skilled in the art may select from any number of suitable materials and construction methods to form the appropriate connection components.

Bottom and Top Plate Channel Connection Components [0047] Figs 9 to 13 are perspective views of a range of bottom plate channels 312 as connection components. The length dimensions 930, 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330 in each of figs 9 to 13 are not to scale, the length being cut as appropriate during construction or pre-determined by the person skilled in the art.

100481 The fig 9 connection component 901, 312 is a "bottom plate channel type Connection component 901 may have preferred dimensions of a base 932 of 00 8 100mm and wall height 934 of 80mm. The channel connection component 901 has a ;base 936 and a side wall 938.

[00491 The fig 10 connection component 1002, 312 is a "bottom plate channel type Connection component 1002 may have preferred dimensions of a base 1032 of 100mm and wall height 1034 of [00501 The fig 11 connection component 1103, 312 is a "bottom plate channel type Connection component 1103 may have preferred dimensions of a base 1132 00 of 50mm and wall height 1134 of 50mm. The channel connection component 1103 has a base 1136 and a side wall 1138.

[00511 The fig 12 connection component 1204, 312 is a "bottom plate channel type Connection component 1204 may have preferred dimensions of a base 1232 of 50mm, a first wall height 1234 of 80mm and second wall height 1236 of [0052] The fig 13 connection component 1305, 312 is a "bottom plate channel type Connection component 1305 may have preferred dimensions of a base 1332 of 50mm and wall height 1334 of 100531 The bottom plate channels 312 described above with respect to figs 9 to 13 may also be used as top plate channels as described in detail below with respect to figs 32, 33 and Roof Connection Components [0054] Figs 14 to 16 are perspective views of the connection components 610, 612 used to secure the roof panels 710. The length dimensions 1430, 1530, 1630 in each of figs 14 to 16 are not to scale, the length being cut as appropriate during construction or pre-determined by the person skilled in the art.

[0055] Fig 14 illustrates a 'roof hip connection channel type F' connection component 1406, 612 which may also be described here as a roof hip connection component 1406. The roof hip connection component 1406 may be described and/or constructed from two channels 1410, 1412 which may be connected together by a strip of metal 1414 on the upper wall 1416 of each channel 1412, 1410 to form the apex 1432 of the constructed roof. The lower walls 1418 of each channel 1410, 1412 may be also be joined by another strip of metal. Alternatively, as shown in fig 14, the corners 1420 between the bases and lower walls of each channel may be welded or tb otherwise joined. The opening 1422, 1424 of each channel 1410, 1412 may be ;constructed to allow a roof panel 710 edge to be inserted into the channel opening N, 1422, 1424 as described in detail with respect to fig 31 below. The preferred dimensions of the roof hip connection component 1406 may be channel openings INO 1422, 1424 of dimension 1424 of 80mm, channel wall depth 1426 of 50mm and the dimension 1428 between the apex 1432 and the edge of the strip 1414 may be The angle 1434 between the two channels 1410, 1412 may be 143 degrees or as oO required for the desired pitch of the roof.

1[00561 In an alternate embodiment of the roof hip connection component 1406, any suitable structural member or members selected by a person skilled in the art of component fabrication may be used to join the two channels so as to form a hip joint suitable for joining the roof 710 or wall 410, 510 panels.

[00571 Figs 15 and 16 illustrate two types of lintel connection components 610 used to support and secure a roof panel 710 to the wall panels 410,510 of the building and/or to a verandah post or its associated beam.

[0058] The fig 15 lintel connection component 1507, 610 is a "lintel section type one". Connection component 1507 may have preferred dimensions of an end flange 1532 of 63mm, a first length 1534 of 150mm, a second length 1536 of 150mm and a third length 1536 of 72mm. Angle dimensions may be a preferred first angle 1538 of 71.5 degrees, a second angle 1540 of 161.5 degrees and a third angle of 120 degrees. The use of lintel connection component 1507 is described in detail below with respect to fig 32.

[0059] The fig 16 lintel connection component 1608 is a "lintel section type two". Connection component 1608 may have preferred dimensions of a first length 1632 of 50mm, a second length 1634 of 150mm and a third length 1636 of 72mm.

Angle dimensions may be a preferred first angle 1538 of 161.5 degrees, a second angle 1640 of 120 degrees. The use of lintel connection component 1608 is described in detail below with respect to fig 33 [00601 It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the angular dimensions specified here for the lintel components 1507, 1608 are nominal manufacturing values that may be varied without affecting the functionality of the 00 Slintel components 1507, 1608 within the invention. In addition the angular dimensions may change during use of the lintel components as described herein.

Joining Plate Connection Components.

INO [0061] Figs 17 to 23 and 25 (fig 24 described further below) are plan views of sheet "joining plate" connection components used to cap and join the top of two adjoining wall panels 410, 510. The use of these joining plate connection components 00 for the wall panels 410, 510 are described in detail below with respect to figures 26 to 28B and 36.

[00621 The fig 17 connection component 1709 is a "90 degree joining plate type Connection component 1709 may have preferred dimensions of a first dimension 1730 of 40mm, a second dimension 1732 of 140mm, a third dimension 1734 of 100mm, a fourth dimension 1736 of 140mm a fifth dimension 1738 of mm and a sixth dimension 1740 of 100mm.

[00631 The fig 18 connection component 1810 is a "tee joining plate type Y".

Connection component 1810 may have preferred dimensions of a first dimension 1830 of 40mm, a second dimension 1832 of210Omm, a third dimension 1834 of 40mm, a fourth dimension 1836 of 120mm a fifth dimension 1838 of 60 mm, a sixth dimension 1840 of 90mm and a seventh dimension 1842 of 10064] The fig 19 connection component 1911 is a "standard joining plate type Connection component 1911 may have preferred dimensions of a first dimension 1930 of 40mm and a second dimension 1932 of 150mm.

100651 The fig 20 connection component 2012 is a "45 degree joining plate type Connection component 2012 may have preferred dimensions of a first dimension 2030 of 40mm, a second dimension 2032 of 100mm, a third dimension 2034 of 117mm, a fourth dimension 2036 of 100mm a fifth dimension 2038 of 117 mm, a sixth dimension 2040 of 40mm and a seventh angular dimension 2042 of 135 degrees.

[00661 The fig 21 connection component 2113 is a "standard joining plate type Connection component 2113 may have preferred dimensions of a first dimension 2130 of 90mm and a second dimension 2132 of 150mm.

00 11 100671 The fig 22 connection component 2214 is a "tee joining plate type U".

Connection component 2214 may have preferred dimensions of a first dimension 2230 cI of 40mm, a second dimension 2232 of 210mm, a third dimension 2234 of 40mm, a fourth dimension 2236 of 85mm a fifth dimension 2238 of 40 mm and a sixth I'D dimension 2240 of 1[00681 The fig 23 connection component 2315 is a "doubletee joining plate type Connection component 2315 may have preferred dimensions of a first 00 dimension 2330 of 120mm, a second dimension 2332 of 40mm, a third dimension 2334 of 120mm, a fourth dimension 2336 of 60mm a fifth dimension 2338 of 90 mm and a sixth dimension 2340 of [00691 The fig 25 connection component 2517 is a "doubletee joining plate type Connection component 2517 may have preferred dimensions of a first dimension 2530 of 120mm, a second dimension 2532 of 40mm, a third dimension 2534 of 120mm, a fourth dimension 2536 of 60mm and a fifth dimension 2538 of mm.

Wall Panel, Vertical Edge Connection Components [00701 Fig 24 illustrates a "45 degree connection channel" connection component 2416 which may also be described here as a wall hip connection component 2416. The construction and embodiments of the connection component 2416 are also as described above for the roof hip connection component 1406 and its embodiments with respect to fig 14. The preferred dimensions for the connection component 2416 may be channel openings dimension 2424 of 50mm, channel wall depth dimension 2426 of 45 to 50mm and the dimension 2428 between the apex 2432 and the edge of the strip 2414 may be 80mm. The angle 2434 between the two channels 2410, 2412 may be 135 degrees or as required for the desired angle between two adjoining wall panels. The length dimensions 2430 is not to scale, the length being cut as appropriate during construction or pre-determined by the person skilled in the art.

[00711 Adjoining wall panels 410, 510 which are also to be joined vertically but in a continuous flush line may be joined by a version of connection component 2416 where the angle 2434 may be changed to 180 degrees. Alternatively two channel 00 12 connection components 901, 1103 may be joined at their respective bases 936 and ;Z 1136 to form a profile connection component (not shown). The choice of either sized channel connection component 901, 1103 depending on the thickness of the wall panel 410, 510 as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

O [00721 Corner adjoining wall panels 410, 510 may be formed in a similar manner to the above for adjoining wall panels. For example for connection component 2416 the angle may be selected as 90 degrees. For the alternative of using two channel 00oO components 901, 1103 the comer connection component (not shown) may be formed by fastening a channel base 936, 1136 to a channel wall side 938, 1138.

100731 joins between three wall panels 410, 510 may be achieved by joining three channel connection components 901, 1103 (not shown) the first two of them by their bases 936, 1136 and the third's base 1136 fastened across the side walls 938, 1138 of the first two joined channels. In another alternative two wall panels 410, 510 forming a (not shown) may be joined by the use of a channel connection component 901, 1103 fastened to the end of the first one panel 410, 510 which is then fasted to the face of the crossing wall panel 410, 510.

[00741 Continuous line adjoining wall panels 410, 510 may be joined in an alternate fashion using a conventional tongue and groove arrangement as illustrated in cross section in fig 26. Fig 26 shows an example wall panel 410, 510, in cross-section, constructed of an expanded polystyrene core 2610 sandwiched by two fibre cement sheets 2612. One wall panel 2614 has a tongue 2616 shaped so as to mate with a groove 2618 of the adjoining wall panel 2620.

[00751 Fig 27 illustrates the assembled arrangement described with respect to fig 26. Sufficient securing of the tongue and groove is as per that selected by a person skilled in the art.

[00761 Fig 28A illustrates yet another arrangement for joining two wall panels 410, 510 by an internal connection component 2810. Each adjoining wall panel 2812, 2814 may have a recess appropriately formed within the wall panel bulk material 2830 to accept the internal connection component 2810. The installed connection component 2810 with the two wall panels 2812, 2814 forms a flush outer surface 2832 so that a laminated vinyl membrane 2834 applied to the surface of the joined wall panels 2812, 2814 is laid with a uniform appearing finish. On the 00 13 opposing surface of the joined wall panels 2812, 2814 an outside painted membrane ;Z 2836 may be applied in a similar manner to provide a uniform finish. The outside N, membrane 2836 being to provide protection and/or aesthetic appeal. The assembly and securing of this arrangement is as per that selected by a person skilled in the art.

INO 10077] In joining of the wall panels 410, 510 the joining plate connection components, described above with respect to figs 17 to 28A and in use with respect to fig 36 and 37, may be used to reinforce the wall panel 410, 510 joints.

00 Wall Panel Components [0078] Figs 26 to 28B illustrate in cross section example wall panel components as a second group of components. The dimensions of the wall panels 410, 510 may be as per that selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the invention.

[0079] In fig 27 the combination of the polystyrene core 2610 sandwiched between 4.5mm thick fibre cement sheets 2612 may provide a wall panel 410, 510 that is both insulating and of sufficient structural and fire rating properties to form part of a building according to the invention. A 12mm booker (or anchor) rod 2710 may be included within the wall panel 410, 510 by an additional recess 2712 in the tongue 2616 and groove 2618 arrangement. Alternatively the booker rod 2710 may be speared, drilled or formed into the polystyrene core 2610 during manufacture. The purpose of the booker rod as a tie rod between the roof 610, 710 and the subfloor 210 has been described above.

[0080] The preferred thickness dimensions 2714 of the wall panel may be 100mm for an external wall 410 and 50mm for an internal wall 510. The thickness dimension 2714 to match as appropriate the connection components described in this specification.

[0081] Fig 28B is an alternate embodiment of the wall panel 2810 where a 16mm thick "Fyrchek" core 2816 may be added to improve fire resistance and acoustic properties. In yet other embodiments cavities or recesses (not shown) or other structures may be incorporated into a wall panel; an example of this is described in Australian provisional application AU-2008903777 "Wall Roof Panel System", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The cavities or recesses or 00 14 structures may be included in the wall panels 410, 510 to accommodate electrical and plumbing services and/or to improve structural properties compared with the weight N or other desired performance properties for the wall panel.

100821 In yet another embodiment of the wall panel 410, 510 the materials O making up the wall panel may be substituted by any number of those widely available to a person skilled in the art. For example those described in Australian patent AU- 200066690-B2 (Patent no. 774061) "Process for production of perlite fiber composite 00 panel board", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In fig 28A the bulk material 2830 forming the wall panels 2812, 2814, 410, 510 may readily be as per AU-200066690-B2 or any other suitable material/s 100831 Doors 412 and windows 416 may also be included in the wall panels as per that described with reference to fig 4.

Roof Panel Component 100841 Fig 29 illustrates in cross section an example a roof panel component 2910, 710 as a third group of components. The dimensions of the roof panels 2910, 710 may be as per that selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the invention and those to construct the building. The roof panel component 2910 of fig 29 may have a 4.5 mm thick fibre cement sheet 2912 which also forms the ceiling of the building. The sheet 2912 is bonded to an expanded polystyrene core of approximate preferred thickness of 60mm. A corrugated metal sheet 2914 forms the upper side of the roof panel 2910 that is exposed to the outdoor elements. The roof panel 2910 may have a first preferred dimension 2916 of 79mm and a second dimension 2918 of 16mm.

100851 In use the roof panel is constructed and installed (not shown) such that the corrugated sheet 2914 of one roof overlaps another by one to two corrugations lap joint), as will be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

100861 A roof panel 2910, 710 as described above performs the functions of providing a roof against the elements, insulation, a ceiling with the appropriate structural and fire rating properties to form part of a building according to the invention.

00 [00871 In other embodiments of the roof panel 710, cavities, recesses (not ;shown) or other structures may be incorporated into a roof panel an example of this is c-i described in Australian provisional application AU-2008903777 "Wall Roof Panel c-i System", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The cavities, IDrecesses or structures may be to accommodate electrical and plumbing services or to improve structural properties compared with the weight of the wall panel.

[00881 In yet another embodiment of the roof panel the materials making up 00 the roof panel may be substituted by any number of those widely available to a person skilled in the art. For example those described in Australian patent AU-200066690-B2 (Patent no. 774061) "Process for production of perlite fiber composite panel board", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Shape and Dimensional Variations and Tolerances.

10089] To accommodate different building styles or designs, for example the pitch of the roof may be varied or adjoining wall panels may be at different angles to each other (eg described in detail with respect to fig 37), the angles described for the connection components described here in this specification may be varied as required by person skilled in the art to achieve a particular building style or design. In a similar fashion the dimensions associated with each connection component that enable the connection component to engage with and/or be fastened to a wall panel or roof panel may be varied by a person skilled in the art to accommodate wall and/or roof panels of different thicknesses or profiles, or simply to provide a different appearance but without affecting their functionality. Tolerances for all dimensions and shapes as given above in the manufacture and use of each component are as may be expected and used by a person skilled in the art and may be changed by a person skilled in the art to suit a particular building design without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Assembly of the Three Groups of Components [0090] Fig 30 is a stylised perspective view of a 4 unit building for accommodation 3010. It is provided as reference for the various sections depicted for the building sections given in figs 31 to 37. The sections are marked using the system 00 16 of A-A, B-B, etc. The building 3010 features verandah posts 3012 to enable the roof ;panels 710 to project further to provide a shaded verandah 3014.

cI [0091] In the following figs 31 to 33 are cross-sectional views along A-A of N fig IoN [00921 Fig 31 illustrates the installation of the roof panels 2910, 710 into the connection component 1406.

[0093] Fig 32 illustrates the use of the lintel connection component 1507 to 00 secure the roof panel 2910, 710 to a verandah post 3012 or an external wall panel 410 via the channel connection component 1103. The function of end flange 1532 of the lintel connection component 1507 may be to secure the end of the roof panel 2910, 710 as well as to provide a fixing point for guttering and the like. The end flange 1532 may also function as a fascia. The second length 1534 of the lintel connection component 1507 may also serve as a liner against the plane of the projecting roof panel 2910 forming the eaves.

[0094] Fig 33 illustrates the use of lintel connection component 1608 to secure the roof panel 2910, 710 to an internal wall panel 510 via the channel connection component 1103.

[0095] In the actual use of the two lintel connection components 1507, 1608 the use of a flexible material such as 1.6 mm sheet steel for the lintels 1507, 1608 enables the upper ends 1536, 1636 of the two types of lintels to bend against the roof panel ceiling surface 2912 to improve fastening and aesthetic appeal. Figs 32 and 33 present a more angular appearance (compared with the actual use) of the lintel where the upper ends of the lintel do not appear to bend against the ceiling 2912.

[00961 The form and ready use of these lintel connection components 1507, 1508 combined with the roof panels 2910, 710 is such that when viewed from the underside they present a flush and aesthetically pleasing line to the ceiling 2912 formed by the underside of the roof panel 710.

[00971 Fig 34 is a 4 unit building accommodation illustrating a floor plan cross-section along the line B-B of fig 30. Fig 34 provides a reference for the features described in the other sectional figs 35 to 37.

00 17 b1 [0098] Fig 35 is a 4 unit building accommodation in cross-section along the ;Z line A-A of fig 30 (unit A in fig 34) or for the furniture in unit C of fig 34. The Sthree groups of components and their interconnections are shown in fig [00991 Fig 36 is a partial view ofa 4 unit building accommodation in crosso section along the line C-C of fig 30. Fig 36 illustrates the use of the joining plate components with the wall panels 410, 510. Additionally the position of the degree connection channel" connection component 2416 for vertically joining two 00 adjoining wall panels 410 is shown.

[00100] Fig 37 is an alternate embodiment of fig 36 where the flexibility in the use of connection components 2012 and 2416 to achieve an alternate building design feature of a bay window or internal wall 410 recess is illustrated by way of example.

Modular Component Design System [00101] The modular arrangement of the three groups of components readily enables a building to be designed and constructed with an overall configuration and floor plan to suit all needs from family housing to single men's accommodation, site offices, catering blocks, large open areas for eateries, board rooms and communications huts. Different building appearances may be easily designed from the same basic components as described above for the three groups of components. Design change may be readily effected by an architect, builder or do-ityourself individual. For example changes may be done on-site by the local construction workforce or requested from a central pre-fabrication facility at minimal add-on cost.

[00102] In addition all the three groups of components may be readily flat packed and transported to the construction and built on site from the basic components. Alternatively the building may be prefabricated in transportable sections in a warehouse/factory. The prefabricated sections may then be transported and rapidly assembled into a complete building. The methods for doing such will be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

1001031 A person skilled in the art will also readily appreciate that the building invention may be readily disassembled either partially in sections or 00 18 completely to the basic components. Once partially or totally disassembled the components may be readily transported for use elsewhere. Such buildings are classified as Relocatable Dwellings in Australia.

[001041 The inventor has also found that because the building invention INO simplifies the building process, the need for skilled tradesman is reduced resulting in a savings on labour by up to 50%. In addition material costs may also have a saving of C up to 40% when compared with the normal construction materials required to produce 00 similar buildings.

[001051 Figs 38 to 46 illustrate a two bedroom family home in an alternate embodiment of the invention. Figs 38 to 46 are technical drawings which will be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

1001061 Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which are not to be limited to the details described herein but are to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent assemblies, devices and apparatus.

[00107] In this specification, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of"consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise, comprised and comprises" where they appear.

[1001081 It will further be understood that any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Claims (9)

1. 2. A building according to claim 1 where the connection components include: channel components, roof hip connection component, lintel connection components, joining plate connection components and wall panel, vertical edge connection components.
2. 3. A building according to claim 2 where the roof hip connection component includes: a first channel component and a second channel component joined to form a connection component.
3. 4. A building according to claim 3 where the first and second channel components are each adapted to receive one or more roof panels A building according to claim 2 where the vertical edge connection components include: a wall hip connection component; and two or three channel components joined to form a connection component.
4. 6. A building according to claim 2 where the lintel connection components include: 00 a lintel connection component with formed sections for a fascia adapted to lie ;adjacent the end of a roof panel and a liner connected to the fascia and adapted to lie parallel with the major plane of the roof panel. ,O 7. A building according to any preceding claim where the first group of components includes fasteners and securing methods for connecting the first group of components to the second and third group of components. 00
5. 8. A connection component comprising a first channel component and a second channel component joined to form a connection component, where the first and second channel components are each adapted to receive one or more roof panels or one or more wall panels.
6. 9. A lintel connection component including formed sections for a fascia adapted to lie adjacent the end of a roof panel and a liner connected to the fascia and adapted to lie parallel with the major plane of the roof panel. A method for constructing a building from three groups of components and a floor wherein: a first group of components comprises a plurality of connection components; a second group of components comprises a plurality of wall panels; and a third group of components comprises a plurality of roof panels; where the first group of components are used to connect the second and third group of components and the floor to form a building. wherein: the floor is connected to a foundation; at least one wall panel has one or more doors or windows.
7. 11. A method according to claim 10 where the first group of components include fasteners and securing methods for connecting the first group of components to the second and third group of components.
8. 12. A building as substantially described herein.
9. 13. A method of constructing a building being substantially as herein described.