AU611117B2 - Modular building systems - Google Patents

Description

AU-AI-82722/87 WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION International Bureau 9

PCT

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATIO TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 Inrna nal Ablica n Nuaer WO 88/ 03202 EO4B 1/02 Al (43) nat na blicati Date: 5 May 1988 (05.05.88) International Application Number: PCT/AU87/00369 HU, IT (European patent), JP, KP, KR, LK, LU, LU (European patent), MC, MG, ML (OAPI patent), MR International Filing Date: 2 November 1987 (02.11.87) (OAPI patent), MW, NL, NL (European patent), NO, RO, SD, SE, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI patent), SU, TD (OAPI patent), TG (OAPI patent), US.

Priority Application Number: PH 8759 Priority Date: 31 October 1986 (31.10.86) Published With international search report.

Priority Country: AU (71)(72) Applicant and Inventor: O'BRIEN, Norman; Maurice 81 Barrow Road, Birkdale, QLD 4159 ((74)Agent: PIZZEY, John, Pizzey Company, G.P.O.

Box 1374, Brisbane, QLD 4001 (AU).

a.J.P. 2 3 JUN 1988 Designated States: AT, AT (European patent), AU, BB, BE (European patent), BG, BJ (OAPI patent), BR, CF AUSTRALIAN ,(OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH, CH (Euroipean patent), CM (OAPI patent), DE, DE (European 2 5 MAY 1988 patent), DK, FI, FR (European patent), GA (OAPI patent), GB, GB (European patent), PATENT OFFICE (54) Title: MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEMS 4(57) Abstract An improved building system which utilizes wall panels formed as one piece plastics panels. The intermeuiate wall panels extend along the junction of floor panels and have bottom edge formations which engage about protrusions on the ends of adjacent floor panels to hold them together and tension connectors extend from the floor structure to the roof structure along passages formed between adjacent edges of wall panels to secure the building panels together.

r WO 88/03202 PCT/AU87/00369 "MODULAR 8UILDING SYSTEMS" The present invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to structures such as buildings, to a building system or method and to components therefore. In particular the present invention is directed to an improved building system utilizing components and panels which may be preformed such as for example, by being pre-moulded, extruded or prefabricated (and hereafter referred to as prefabricated panels), of any suitable material and including floor, wall, ceiling, roof and other panels. The present invention seeks to provide a building system that enables the erection of structures in a simple and cost-effective manner.

In accordance with known systems for buildings, problems are often encountered by reason of the cost and complexity of the various jointing or panel junction components by reason of their manufacture and/or interconnection or positioning in the structure to be erected. Prior arrangements, including those employing substantially prefabricated components, call for great care to be taken during erection, to ensure that the various components are correctly located and interconnected. This gives rise to substantial expense in terms of the time needed to erect a given structure.

Furthermore sophisticated tooling and/or other machinery, as well as skilled personnel, will be required.

The present invention seeks to improve over the known building systems and techniques by providing a system which utilizes prefabricated components, which may be of standard form, if desired, and hence readily interchangeable, and which is reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.

The building system in accordance with the present WO 88/03202 PCT/A U87/00369 2 invention may comprise or utilize a basic unit or component in the form of a module or cellular unit of any suitable shape, such as rectangular and for ease of explanation, reference will be made to a hexagonal-shaped basic unit throughout the ensuing description. It should be realised, however, that the invention is not to be considered to be restricted solely to a cellular structure or the illustrated hexagonal-shaped unit.

A basic module or cellular unit of any desired shape may be constructed utilizing various components or panels made in accordance with this invention. The basic module or cellular unit may comprise one of an array of similar units. A plurality of modules or cellular units may be interconnected, for example, to provide a laterally and/or longitudinally extending array. A combination of units may be provided to.

suit any given overall floor plan for a desired structure.

Furthermore the building system in accordance with the present invention allows for the erection of multi-storey buildings or structures.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a structure may comprise a number of full or part-length wall panels which constitute side walls, floors, ceiling and/or roof panels, such wall panels being preformed off-site in any known manner. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the various panels may be constructed of a plastics or polyurethane material. It should be realised, however, that other materials may be equally suitable, such as for example light-weight concrete, or perhaps even a timber or other like material or a mixture of such materials.

Preferably the panels should be aerated or of low density internally, or to be more specific should be hollow or low in density, whereby to allow for or provide a suitable level of heat insulation and sound-proofing (as desired). In an i ft 1'

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especially preferred embodiment the panels are constructed of a plastics material having appropriate fire-retardant and ultra-violet resistant qualities which may be imparted to such material in any known manner.

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention resides in a structure of the type having a base wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship, a side wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship and disposed with their lower edges overlying the adjacent peripheral edge portions of the abutting base wall panels, an overhead wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship and disposed with the adjacent

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S peripheral edge portions of abutting panels overlying the 5 upper edge of said side wall, and tie means interconnecting the base wall panels to the overhead wall panels and extending between abutting side wall panels, wherein:the upper faces of the base wall panels have wall locating means along their the adjacent peripheral edge portions; the lower faces of the overhead panels have wall locating means along their the adjacent peripheral edge portions, and the side wall panels have respective laterally spaced and S base wall location means vertically displaced from their lower edges and each one of the base wall location means 25 being engageable with a respective one of the locating means, on the peripheral edge portions of the adjacent base wall panels and respective laterally spaced overhead wall location means vertically displaced from their upper edges and each S one of the overhead wall location means being engageable with a respective one of the locating means on the peripheral edge portions of the adjacent overhead wall panels, whereby engagement of the side wall location means with the base wall location means and engagement of the side wall location means with the overhead location means and operative placement of

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:<2 3a the tie means prevents separation of the base wall panels and the overhead wall panels from the side wall papcis. Suitably the structure is a building structure, but of course it could be a shelving system or the like if desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the locating means on the panels is complementary engageable longitudinal ribs and channels wherein the ribs include either an extension of the respective opposite faces of the side wall panel, or at least one extension of the side wall panel between the respective opposite faces thereof. The side wall panels may be located at any position above the edge portions of the base wall panels, however, it is preferred that the ends of the side wall panels engage in edge abutting relationship above 5 corners of the base wall panels whereby an intermediate space is formed between adjacent side wall panel ends and wherein the tie means includes a tie rod extending through the intermediate space.

In one form, the building structure may comprise a modular V "'20 building structure which includes a plurality of interlinked or interlocked polygonal modules or cellular units adapted to be interconnected to form said structure and wherein the Sstructure includes longitudinally, laterally and/or vertically extending arrays, according to the desired floor 25 plan for said structure. A modular building structure may ii include a plurality of interlinked or interlocked polygonal modules or cellular units adapted to be interconnected to form said structure. The polygonal modiles or cellular units may be formed from the base wall panels formed as polygonal floor panels which may be interconnected to form arrays of polygonal floor panels and wherein there are provided corresponding overhead wall panels supported above the polygonal floor panels by the side wall panels. In a preferred embodiment, the adjacent edges of the base wall 3b panels have an included angle of 120 degrees to create a polygonal floor panel of hexagonal shape, and the side wall panels, base wall panels and overhead wall panels are formed as plastics mouldings with integral location means.

Preferably, the panels are constructed from a lightweight material having fire-retardant, heat and sound-proofing and ultra-violet radiation retardant properties, and the tie means include tie rods which extend downwardly beyond the base wall and connect to anchoring means. The side wall panels may include substantially monocoque reptangular panels having upper and lower ends formed with a pair of spaced ribs extending therealong and at opposite sides of the central plane of the side wall panel and longitudinally recessed end 5 faces extending between the upper and lower ends.

r• This invention also incorporates various methods for goo connecting the ends of wall panels so as to cater for a diversity of conditions in building construction and architectural design. These methods include connection of 0 wall panels at any angle, but preferably at an angle of 120 degrees. Where conditions and architectural design permit, it is preferable that sidewall panels butt at connecting eeeee0 0 points without the use of longitudinal connecting members and *ego at an angle determined by the relative positions of the 25 adjoining sidewall panels with adjustments to provide clearance around the tie down rod where necessary.

Where practical, all sidewall panels and ceiling/floor Ei t i A2 UU U

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Uf~ WO 88/03202 PCT/AU87/00369 4 panels are made full size from corner to corner. However, these panels may be joined if they become too large to handle or transport easily.

All walls of a-hexagonal cellular room unit are preferably of a uniform wall centre line dimension, which makes the construction thereof ideally suited to cost-efficient factory production. All wall and ceiling panel joints can be plasterec for a modern flushline finish or they can be left exposed so that the system has a panelised look, weather sealed as necessary.

Due to the modular and flat roof nature of a building in accordance with the invention, it may be extended quite easily and it is possible to build up large scale condominiums or multi-story structures. Such condominiums are particularly suited to tourist resort and general accommodation situations because the size of the building may be readily, and relatively cheaply, increased as demand grows. In this manner, the initial construction costs are minimised.

A house or building constructed in accordance with the present invention need not use full hexagonal cells. By way of example only, one or more wall panels of each hexagonal unit may be omitted, shortened or lengthened to suit architectural and plan design requirements. In further alternatives, sidewall panels may fit into or interlock with channel recesses provided in the corresponding roof/floor panels with the interposition of a spline to form a tonguein-groove type connection if desired.

Insofar as the wall panels are concerned, each may be interconnected in a vertical direction in any known manner, using interconnecting or jointing means of a desired shape and configuration. The vertically-extending ends or surfaces of such wall panels may be of any desired shape, for example

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square, square-gr:ooved, square rebated, rounded, angled or in a combination of same. To accommodate such various wall panel ends, a variety of jointing means, preferably in the form of extension of a desired shape or cross-section, may be provided. Using such jointing means it will be possible, in accordance with the invention, to join square-ended panels, for example, to panels having an end configuration other than square, for example rounded or angled. Furthermore angled walls may be provided with square-corner studs, to allow for connection of garage doors, for example.

Preferably, either or both the upper faces of the base wall panels adjacent their abutting edges are provided with integral side wall location means which engage with integral base wall locating means provided on the lower ends of the side wall panels whereby base wall panels at opposite sides of each side wall panel are restrained from moving apart by the respective side wall panel and/or the lower faces of the S 20 overhead wall panels adjacent their abutting edges are provided with integral side wall location means which engage with integral overhead locating means provided on the upper ends of the side wall panels whereby overhead wall panels at S opposite sides of each side wall panel are restrained from moving apart by the respective side wall panel. Of course, the tie means ties said overhead wall panels to said base wall panels, and the side wall panels may engage in edge abutting relationship at corners of said base wall panels whereby an intermediate space is formed between adjacent side wall panel ends and wherein the tie means may include a tie rod extending through the intermediate space.

Another innovative feature of the present invention is the use of conduits in the prefabricated wall, ceiling/roof panels to house the service lines, such as the telephone :cables, electricity wires, water and gas pipes. The conduits 1 may be of any suitable cross-section. The conduits will preferably be flared at the edges of wall panel and/or to facilitate the insertion of service lines and to accommodate possible misalignments between adjoining panels. Multi-port conduit coupling members may be used to couple the conduits in abutting wall and floor/roof panels.

Doors and windows may be incorporated into panels when built. As another embodiment of the method in accordance i 1 0 with the invention, sliding or hinged or otherwise secured glass windows and doors and gauze frames may be constructed as "lift-in-lift-out" items and can be "throw-away" type items when damaged. These may be constructed by directly moulding the windows, door, gauze frame or the like to the glass, gauze or other opening material in such a manner as to create shapes to the outer edges of frames to slide or hinge in the panel and so shaped as to allow panels to close into each other or into the sides of the opening panel so as to be S weather-proof and practical in operation. Preferably no part 20 of the opening frames will protrude beyond the sides of wall.

*o *a 00 0 eeoC* o o• S ss *o -T O060O WO 83/03202 PCT/A U87/00369 To accommodate windows, doors, gauze frames or other access means in panels whether sliding, hinged, fixed or otherwise, the openings within such panels may be moulded on one or more of their sides as required to be able to receive the opening device or other fitting intended to be inotalled thereon.

The sill or lower opening side, for example, will be moulded to satisfy water- and weather-proofing requirements. In a practical sense the panels may, as desired, be so constructed as to be capable of receiving all known types of opening frames, whether constructed of aluminium, timber or indeed any other suitable material. Openings may.be cut in walls to any shape, and openings may be finished with extruded flexible cap moulding of a complementary shape.

In addition to the basic building components of wall, floor and roof panels, other building components may also be prefabricated as a part of the building method. For example, plastic hand rails may be moulded or extruded to the desired length. Hand rail posts omay be extruded or roll formed to any desired shape. Stair wells,,stair frames and step treads may also be extruded, moulded or otherwise prefabricated, preferably of plastics material in one or more sections, transported to site, and assembled. Even bench cupboards, doors, shelving, bearers (for elevated floors) and panels may be extruded, moulded or otherwise prefabricated, preferably of plastics material in one or more sections. Such components can be made from conventional materials, such as wood, or extruded preferably from more modern building materials, such as toughened plastics material and aluminium or the like.

The various internal fixtures of the building may be desired to accommodate the wall configuration of the cellular unit. This relates to such items as septic cisterns, suitable for use in corner positions of a preferably I I hexagonal room module, a bed-side cabinet suitable for use in a room corner, laundry tubs, bath rubs and shower bases for use in corner positions of a preferably hexagonal room module.

In order to further reduce costs, in an alternative and preferred arrangement or embodiment it would be possible for each ceiling panel and wall panel to have at least one concave portion on each of one or more sides rather than being flat on both sides. In such a way there can be a significant saving in material involved in the manufacture of such panels, thereby substantially reducing the cost thereof oi. yet without sacrificing unduly any strength capability.

S" In another aspect, this invention resides in a method of "5 constructing a structure, including:forming base wall panels, side wall panels and overhead wall panels as hereinbefore defined; placing the base wall panels on a level support in edge abutting relationship to form a desired floor plan; operatively engaging the side wall panels with the adjacent peripheral edge portions of the base wall panels; operatively engaging the adjacent peripheral edge portions of the overhead wall panels with the- upper ends of the side wall panels; 25 passing tie rods through selected ones of the intermediate spaces, and tying the overhead wall panels to the base wall panels with the tie rods.

•Preferably, the method includes forming the tie rods with connecting means disposed below the base wall and connecting the connecting means to anchoring means, and the connecting means comprise extensions embedded in foundations. A preferred method includes forming a plurality of modules or cellular units of a predetermined shape and interconnecting .,i 4: 41 7 7a adjacent modules or cellular units to form selected longitudinally, laterally and/or vertically extending modular arrays, each module or cellular unit being formed by interconnecting a plurality of wall panels to constitute floor, sidewalls and/or ceiling or roof panels of the modules or cellular units.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in a wall panel for the structure defined above and including edge portions having locating means thereon whereby said panel may be operatively located with an adjoining panel.

In order that this invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred structures according to the present S" 5 invention. The ensuing description is given by way of nonlimitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a modular structure in accordance with the present invention, made up of a plurality of 9 4 4 4.

WO 88/03202 PCT/AU87/00369 k 8 interconnected hexagonal-shape modules or cellular units; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a multi-story building constructed in accordance with the invention, with second-level module and cabana-type roof; FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-section of a condominium or multi-story type structure, illustrating connections between wall panels, floor panels and roof panels and preferred concrete footings; FIG. 4 collectively illustrates preferred interconnections (alternatives) of sidewall panels, floor panels and/or ceiling or roof panels in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 collectively illustrates preferred styles or embodiments of sunhood overhangs on roof panels, and also a sectional illustration of a rooflight; FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred means of interconnecting these wall panels in a preferred plan view section, and Fig 7 collectively illustrates window opening details.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a building constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention has a basic cellular structure comprising a hexagonal-shaped module or basic unit 10 formed from prefabricated wall panels 12.

In accordance with the invention a building may be constructed in a single story configuration, in multi-story or even condominium configuration.

Correspondingly shaped panels 14, more particularly in the form of a hexagon of a similar size to each cellular unit or module, may be placed under and/or over the respective units whereby to form a closed structure. Alternatively, a multistory structure may be erected in a manner to be described hereinafter. Preferably, and as illustrated, a building in accordance with the invention has a substantially flat roof i i' i 'I WO 88/03202 PCT/AL'87/00369 except for a roof overhang 20, which is sloping for aesthetic reasons and to strengthen the panels 14 against wind forces at joining positions at the top wall line. Preferably, a marginal slope will be created in roof panels 14 by constructing a marginal camber upwardly towards the centre of building on the panel contact surface of foundations. The flat roof design is advantageous in cyclone areas as such a roof offers little resistance to wind forces. The flat roof may also be used as an elevated entertainment area.

If desired, a ventilation skylight structure 16 or two story enclosed cabana roof 18 may be provided as shown in FIG. 2 to provide improved lighting and ventilation to the space therebelow and/or provide stair access to the roof area. Dependent upon the spatial location of these panels 14 in the overall structure, they will constitute floor and/or roof panels.

As shown in Fig. 4, the top and bottom horizontal edges of the wall panels 12 are provided with a central elongate recess 21 bounded by opposed flanges 22 which engage within grooves 23 formed along side edges of panels 14. As illustrated, the grooves 23a at outer side edges of panels 14 may include spaced channels 24 to accommodate the flanges, whereas the grooves 23b along adjoining edges 25 include a single channel 26 whereby the opposed flanges engage within the adjacent grooves 23b of adjacent panels 14 and interlock them together. In this manner, the corresponding ceiling, .roof, or floor panels 14 are interlocked within a channel in the corresponding panel 12.

The invention also incorporates various methods for connecting the ends of wall panels 12 so as to cater for a diversity of conditions in building construction and architectural design. These methods include connection of wall panels at any angle, such as an angle of 120 degrees (as i^ WO 88/03202 PCT/A U87/00369 shown in FIG. Where conditions and architectural design which their inner edges 28 are spaced apart to permit a concealed tie bolt 29 to pass along the wall panels 12 between opposed floor and or ceiling/ roof panels 14 to tie the structure together without the use of longitudinal connecting members and at an angle determined by the relative positions of the adjoining wall panels 12 with adjustments to provide clearance around the tie bolt 29 as is necessary.

Such a connection not only secures a sidewall panel 12 to a floor panel 14, but also helps maintain adjacent floor panels 14 in abutting relationship.

The panels 12 and 14 are formed as one piece plastics mouldings in the form of foamed plastics panels having relatively dense skins and less dense cores. The panels 12/14 are moulded with all edge interconnecting formations in place and suitably with all window and door surrounds preformed to.suit their particular application. For this purpose, as illustrated in Fig. 7, a window opening is formed with integral channel shaped recesses along the head and sill parts and in which sliding window panels 30 formed with plastics material frames 31 and 32 which overlap for weatherproofing and slide in the channel shaped recesses aforesaid, By way of exemplification, FIG. 1 illustrates a typical floor plan of one type of house using the basic hexagonal floor cell structure but with two external walls straightened from the hexagonal pattern in the designated bathroom and first bedroom areas. In a practical sense, however, it should be realised that the use of modules or cellular units in accordance with the invention provides for a remarkable degree of versatility in design of an overall structure. For example, any one or more of the walls of an array of basic 1'; I WO 88/03202 PCT/A U37/00369

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i: i modules may be "straightened out" lengthened or shortened as desired to provide more internal space or to vary the internal room configurations within a defined area.

Alternatively, in for example a multi-story structure, patio areas may be provided by omitting entire external modules from one or more storeys.

In the embodiment shown, the higher floor level is an internal floor while the lower level is an external or exposed floor or roof section. In FIG. 48 two internal floor panels 14 are shown as interconnected or interlocked with respective upper and lower wall panels 12. The interconnection of the wall panels 12 with a bottom-most floor panel 14 is shown in FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F. Preferably as illustrated, each ground floor panel 14 is simply supported by, and spans, concrete piers or strip footings at its ends. However, panel 14 may be placed directly to a ground surface, and if required or desired, a layer of bedding sand may be placed under the ground floor panel 14 to relieve tension stress on the panel 14. Furthermore, the underside of a floor panel of the type illustrated in FIG.

4E, for example, may be recessed as per the opposing top surface and a channel shaped panel locating strip may be supported on the foundation to engage within the underside recess to operative position the floor panels 14. This will simplify and/or facilitates accurate location of the base or floor panels 14.

In constructing a building in accordance with the present invention, the foundation piers, earth or concrete footings are laid out in a hexagonal matrix pattern, each footing being designed or intended to be placed at the end or junction of wall panels. Alternatively, where stable soil conditions prevail, floor panels 14 can be placed directly onto the prepared ground surface provided with suitable p: WO 88/03202 PCT/AU87/00369 12 ground anchors.

F The overhang of floor/roof panels may be used as sunhoods and preferred sunhood profiles are illustrated in FIG. 5 for example. FIG. 5 also illustrates a section through a skylight roof or cabana roof. In this arrangement, sunlight or ventilation is able to enter via the skylight wall panels 22 and, if desired, via the skylight roof or cabana roof 24 itself. The roof panels 14 may be flat or angled as desired.

For a flat roof system, suitable sealing is provided between the individual roof panels 14.

A principal advantage of the present invention is that practically all of the components may be prefabricated off site, and then assembled on site. Construction time is therefore minimised, particularly since construction is not significantly affected by wet weather, interrupted concrete pours and other forms of industrial dispute. Furthermore, the cost of construction is not as affected by the remoteness of the building site (for example on resort islands or in the.

Iutback) as would be the case with more conventional building methods.

Preferably, the tie bolts 29 extend vertically at the centre of adjoining sidewall panel ends from floor to ceiling panel. When installed and connected to a suitable ground anchor, such as the foundation, the tie bolts 29 will serve to retain the sidewall panels 12 within the recesses 21 in the floor and ceiling panels 14. Square, triangular or shaped fastener plates (not shown) may be used in the tie bolt assembly.

To help correctly locate the ground floor panels 14, locator plates may be used. These locator/anchor plates have relatively large clearance holes for the tie bolts 29 to allow for tolerances in the location of the tie bolts 29 or securing bolts or anchors to the footings or ground.

F -4 WO 88/03202 PCT/AU87/00369 13 It should further be realised that, in accordance with the invention, what has been previously termed the overhang portion of the or each roof panel may be adapted to releasably interlock with its associated panels as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Such a configuration allows for subsequent extension of a previously completed structure in accordance with the present invention to cater for increased demands for accommodation or the like. This facility will be of special importance or significance for tourist accommodations, and also allows for a house-owner to extend as his needs for space become greater. The configuration also is of significance in situations where transport limitations exist.

In accordance with a further aspect a cornice moulding is provided which will be located at and cover the joint between wall panel 12 and ceiling,panel 14. The cavity between the cornice and panels 12 and 14 may be used to access the builtin conduit system, either during construction or. later alterations, and may also act aslan integral part of the overall service conduiting system (if desired). The cornice strip may be moulded or extruded of any suitable material to any suitable or desired aesthetic shape, with longitudinal grooves to each of the two edges which attach against panels 12 and 14 and which, when located, will leave an odd-shaped but basically triangular cavity for the services. The cornice clip preferably will be made of metal, but it should be understood that a variety of materials lend themselves to such a usage or purpose; the clips will be fixed to the surface of panels 12 and 14 with protrusions extending outwardly from each wall panel to the desired shape to align with longitudinal grooves in the cornice, thereby creating a secure but removable cornice attachment. The cornice clips will preferably have fitted or moulded attachments to

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-r I F U i. C WO 88/03202 PCT/AUS87/00369 14 restrain the service lines.

It is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible therefore without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.

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Claims (16)

1. A structure of the type having a base wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship, a side wall formed from panels arranged in. edge abutting relationship and disposed with their lower edges overlying the adjacent peripheral edge portions of said abutting base wall panels, an overhead wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship and disposed with the adjacent peripheral edge portions of abutting panels overlying the upper edge of said side wall, and tie means. interconnecting said base wall panels to said overhead wall panels and extending between abutting side wall panels, characterised in that:- .e the upper faces of said base wall panels have wall locating means along their said adjacent peripheral edge go• portions; the lower faces of said overhead panels have wall locating means along their said adjacent peripheral edge portions, and said side wall panels have respective laterally spaced base wall location means vertically displaced from their lower edges and each one of said base wall location means being engageable with a respective one of the locating means Son said peripheral edge portions of said adjacent base wall panels and respective laterally spaced overhead wall location means vertically displaced from their upper edges and each one of said overhead wall location means being engageable with a respective one of the locating means on said peripheral edge portions of said adjacent overhead wall panels, whereby engagement of said side wall location means with said base wall location means and engagement of said side wall location means with said overhead location means and operative placement of said tie means prevents separation i. 16 of said base wall panels and said overhead wall panels fromnt said side wall panels.

2. A structure as claimed in claim i, wherein said locating means on said panels is constituted by either of complementary engageable longitudinal ribs and channels,

3. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ribs include an extension of the respective opposite faces of said side wall panel.

4. A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding S: claims, wherein the ends of said side wall panels engage in e edge abutting relationship above corners of said base wall panels whereby an intermediate space is formed between adjacent side wall panel ends and wherein said tie means includes a tie rod extending through said intermediate space.

5. A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base wall panels include polygonal floor panels which may be interconnected to form arrays of polygonal floor panels and wherein there are provided corresponding overhead wall panels supported above said polygonal floor panels by said side wall panels.

6. A structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein adjacent edges of said base wall panels have an included angle of 120 degrees to create a polygonal floor panel of hexagonal shape.

7. A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said side wall panels, base wall panels and overhead wall panels are formed as plastics mouldings with integral location means. 1 0 EN 17

8. A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said panels are co 'r ucted from a lightweight material having fire-retardant, neat and sound- proofing and ultra-violet radiation retardant properties.

9. A structure as claimed i. any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tie means include tie rods which extend downwardly beyond said base wall and connect to anchoring means.

A method of constructing a structure, including:- forming base wall panels, side wall panels and overhead wall j: panels as defined in claim 4; placing said base wall panels on a level support in edge ii abutting relationship to form the desired floor plan; operatively engaging said side wall panels with said adjacent peripheral edge portions of said base wall panels; operatively engaging said adjacent peripheral edge portions of said overhead wall panels with the upper ends of said side wall panels; ooooo S• passing tie rods through selected ones of said intermediate spaces, and tying said overhead wall panels to said base wall panels S with said tie rods.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 and including forming oooo• S said tie rods with connecting means disposed below said base wall and connecting said connecting means to anchoring means.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said connecting means comprise extensions embedded in foundations. PLU i ii. 18

13. A wall panel for the structure defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, including a substantially monocoque rectangular panel having upper and lower ends formed with a pair of spaced ribs extending therealong and at opposite sides of the central plane of said side wall panel and longitudinally recessed end faces extending between said upper and lower ends.

14. A structure including a plurality of side wall panels extending between base wall panels and overhead wall panels, and characterised in that:- said base wall and/or said overhead wall panels are arranged with adjacent panel edges in abutting relationship; arranged with their abutting edges extending along the said side wall panels, and wherein there are tie means tying said overhead wall panels to said base wall panels; and further characterised in that either or both the upper faces of said base wall panels adjacent their abutting edges are provided with integral side wall location means which engage with integral base wall locating means provided on the lower ends of said side wall panels whereby base wall panels at opposite sides of each said side wall panel are restrained from moving apart by the respective said side wall panel and/or the lower faces of said overhead wall panels adjacent their abutting edges are provided with integral side wall location means which engage with integral overhead locating means provided on the upper ends of said side wall panels whereby overhead wall panels at opposite sides of each said side wall panel are restrained from moving apart by the respective said side wall panel.

U Il ,ks- 19 A structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein said side wall panels engage in edge abutting relationship at corners of said base wall panels whereby an intermediate space is formed between adjacent side wall panel ends and wherein said tie means includes a tie rod extending through said intermediate space.

16. A structure of the type having a base wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship, a side wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship and disposed with their lower edges overlying the adjacent peripheral edge portions of said abutting base wall panels, an overhead wall formed from panels arranged in edge abutting relationship and disposed with the adjacent peripheral edge portions of abutting panels overlying the upper edge of said side wall, and tie means interconnecting said base wall panels to said overhead wall panels and extending between abutting side wall panels, characterised in that:- the upper faces of said base wall panels have integral S' wall locating means along their said adjacent peripheral edge portions; the lower faces of said overhead panels have integral wall locating means along their said adjacent peripheral edge portions, and said side wall panels have respective laterally spaced integral base wall location means along their lower edges and each one of said base wall location means being engageable with a respective one of the locating means on said peripheral edge portions of said adjacent base wall panels and respective laterally spaced integral overhead wall location means along their upper edges and each one of said overhead wall location means being engageabie with a respective one of the locating means on said peripheral edge portions of said adjacent overhead wall Ii panels, and the locating means on said panels being constituted by either of complementary engageable longitudinal ribs and channels, whereby engagement of said ribs within said channels and operative placement of said tie means prevents separation of said base wall panels and said overhead wall panels from said side wall panels. DATED THIS thirteenth NORMAN MAURICE O'BRIEN DAY OF March, 1991. by PIZZEY COMPANY PATENT ATTORNEYS 000 0 0 0 0 0e *o 0 e *0 0 9