AU620475B2 - Modular building panel - Google Patents

Description

I am an eligible person described in Sections 33 36 of the Act.

Drawing number recommended to accompany the abstract S(Signature) (Date) 1- 620475 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA The Patents Act 19b2 Name of Applicant(s): Address of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: MATTHEW GRAHAM-DUFFY UHLMANN ROAD BURPENGARY, QUEENSLAND, 4505, AUSTRALIA MATTHEW GRAHAM-DUFFY G.R. CULLEN COMPANY, Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 79 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

9 49 1.

i COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: 0 MODULAR BUILDING PANEL 4 i 9* 9 O The following statement is a full description of the invention including the best method of performing it known to me: 0 9 'a 9 To: The Commissioner of Patents 3 ignatur Declarant(s) 2 THIS INVENTION relates to building modules, in particular to building modules which are useful for the erection of a wide range of building structures where minimal technical expertise is required.

There are currently a large number of project or "kit" assemblies available on the market for the erection of a wide range of structures extending from sheds to residential houses. The main problem with such assemblies however is that while they are generally purported to be readily erected by the average handyman, they are in fact, of a relatively complex nature and require the expertise of skilled tradesmen for their correct assemblage.

Additionally, known "kit" assemblies include a large number of especially manufactured structural components 15 and as a consequence are relatively expensive.

0 0 *0* SIt is therefore an object of the present invention 4 09 to provide a building assembly which can be got up in kit form into a plurality of modules which can be assembled by a person without technical expertise and which is relatively inexpensive but which still attains a higher quality building which cannot be distinguished from a professionally erected unit.

e, According to the broad ambits of the present invention, there is provided a building module comprising an exposed framework to one side only of which a lining is af'fixed.

A- r4 i' f

-I

3 The invention also extends to a combination of such modules when erected to define a building structure.

The framework will generally be configured so as to define a rectangular area although there is no reason why the panel cannot be used in other polygonal structures. When adapted for use in the construction of residential or other buildings, two opposing edges of the framework will preferably be dimensioned to span vertically between the floor and ceiling for single or upper levels, and between floor and floor for lower levels of multi level buildings, and will therefore be defined by stud members. The space separating the stud members may conveniently be such as to accommodate door and/or window openings as well as spacing roof or other framing members economically and to this end a the studs will preferably be spaced in the order of 1200 mm from one another. It will, of course, be appreciated that t the actual dimensions of the framework are not determinative L' of the invention and that these may be selected according to the type of structure to be erected, ease of handling of the module, building regulation requirements, and similar t factors.

A t t f In order to provide sufficient rigidity to the module, the framework will include a plurality of braces and/or noggings spanning the space between the uprights or studs. Preferably, there will be no such braces or noggings in the regions adjacent the upper and lower ends of the 4 studs, thereby providing duct spaces through which services such as pipes and cables may be passed. Ideally, such duct spaces will be sealed from the exterior by suitable cladding such as plywood, timber planks or "hardiplank", while the internal lining forms the inner duct wall.

Typically, the framework will be fabricated from x 45 mm timber studL and 70 x 35 mm timber noggings and braces; the preferred material Y -ing treated pine or hardwood, However, the actual size and type of material used in the framework will, once again, naturally depend upon the structure being erected.

For a "closed wall" module, that is, a module not having any openings for windows, a door or the like, the framework may comprise two stud members, two or more, preferably three, noggings, and braces extending diagonally t lt from the intersections of the noggings with the studs.

SFor an "open wall" module, that is, a module having an opening for a window or a door, the framework may comprise two stud members with one or more noggings. For the accommodation of doors, one nogging above the door lintel will generally suffice. This nogging will define the upper duct space and no lower duct space will be provided. For the accommodation of a window, two, three or four noggings will generally be provided depending upon the height of the window. If the window is adapted to span the entire space between a lower and an upper duct space, then only two r noggings will be necessary, viz, those noggings defining the upper and lower duct space. For a window to be arranged at an intermediate position of the framework, a nogging immediately above the window, i.e. a lintel, and one immediately below the window, i.e. a trimmer, will usually be provided. Short studs can also be placed vertically between the nogs (trimmers/lintels) to make the window opening narrower if desired.

The noggings and/or braces may be connected to the studs by any suitable fixing means. The preferred form of fixing is by metal pins, most preferably screws. The screws will generally be countersunk.

The stud members of the framework will preferably include a channel or conduit to allow the concealed passage e u 1 15 of services vertically. This conduit or channel may take the 4 S. form of a U-groove formed in the mid-longitudinal section of S. the stud so that when the module is erected, it"will align with a correspondingly formed channel in an adjacent module.

Furthermore, the top of the framework, that is, the top of the studs, may be notched out to accommodate sloping or horizontal ;coof members, floor framing, cross-beams, rafters or the like.

S The interior lining of the structure can be in sheet or plank form and can be any material which provides 4 sufficient insulation from the exterior of the structure for the intended end purpose. Suitable lining materials include 6 plywood, sheet timber, sheet metal, and boardings.

Particularly preferred lining materials are tongue and groove pine boardings. Such lining may be affixed, to the framework by any conventional attachment means, for instance, by stapling, nailing, screwing, gluing and the like.

The building modules of the present invention are particularly adapted for use in the construction of buildings having roof overhangs of sufficient extent as to provide some protection from the prevailing elements, particularly rain.

To this end, the modules have most use in the construction of verandah homes or other accomi.odation units as well as farm or commercial buildings where this form of construction would be suitable.

In use, a building module is erected in a perpendicular manner to two L-shaped metal brackets or the like fixed to a suitable base, such as a concrete slab or t f suitable timber or metal floor framing. The L-shaped brackets will be located so as that they extend on the inside of the framework and connect to the base of the studs.

Another module is then aligned adjacent the first module and j .fixed to suitably anchored L-shaped brackets in a similar I manner. The studs of adjacent modules may then be fixed I together by nailing, stapling or screwing. The roof or other t i framing is then placed and fixed to the top of the panel, generally in the rebated area. Temporary braces, generally I outside the walls, are joined to the modules to ensure that 1 7 the modules remain perpendicular until all the internal roof and/or floor framework is secured and complete, thus leaving the area within the walls of a partially constructed building largely open for scaffolding and the like.

In this manner, a very economical building structure can be erected with the minimum of technical expertise and in the minimum amount of time.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 10 which:o 0 oO. Figure 1 is a front elevation of two building modules erected side-by-side according to the present *invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the building module depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of two studs of I t adjacent building modules as depicted in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an elevational cross-section of the stud of the building module showing the fixing means; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of two studs of adjacent building modules; Figure 6 is a close-up view of the top end of two studs of adjacent building modules; and Figure 7 is a side elevation of the top end of a stud of a building module.

Referring to the drawings, each building module 8 comprises a framework defining a rectangular area bounded by vertical studs 10 fabricated from 70 x 45 mm hardwood. The studs include longitudinal grooves 11, formed in the exterior edges in the mid-portion for the length of the stud, as shown in Figure 5, and are rebated on their top ends 12 (see Figures 6 and 7) to accommodate beams, rafters or other roofing members 16 (see Figure The function of the grooves 11 is to permit wiring and other services to be threaded therein.

It II i0' lNoggings 13, extend between the studs of each module and are fixed to the studs by countersunk screws 14 S (see Figure 4) with their heads concealed in countersunk holes which are located either side of the longitudinal grooves 11. The noggings are 70 x 35 mm hardwood.

Braces 15 also of 70 x 35 mm hardwood, extend S diagonally between pairs of noggings 13 in the "closed in" wall module I but not in the window framed module II. The S braces may be held in place by any conventional means such as staples or nails (not shown).

Each building module is supported on a concrete timber or metal framed substrate 17 by an "L-shaped" metal bracket 18 which is connected to the foot of the studs and A also to that substrate by bolts 19 (see Figure Adjacent modules are, additionally, joined together by nails, screws or staples in known manner.

The regions shown in dotted outline in Figure 1 and 9 in solid in Figure 2, in the top and bottom portions of the building modules are covered with an exterior cladding of "Hardiplank" 20. Behind these claddings are cavities 21 (see Figure 2) which define duct spaces through which services may be passed.

Module II includes an opening in which a casement, or for that matter any conventionally constructed window 22 may be slotted and secured to the adjacent studs and noggings following erection of the module. In such an arrangement, t r 10 conventional sills may not be necessary.

SThe inner side facing section of the modules are C a lined with tongue and groove pine boarding 23, except, of cr course, in the region of the window 22. The boarding is fixed in position in a conventional manner by nailing to the studs.

r f C t A damp-proof lining or flashing 24 is placed under tt c e' the building module prior to or during erection, this flashing also acts as an ant barrier as required by the C t c Standard Building Bylaws.

By the sequential erection of building modules in tb-is manner, and temporary bracing such modules as building proceeds, the entire exterior walls of the building are constructed. Boarding, doors, windows, roofing and other componentry are then added to complete the structure.

In this manner, an inexpensive building is erected in minimal time and without the need for any technical expertise.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth in the following claims.

4 tt .\1 h. 8 t

Claims (17)

1. A wall building module comprising a planar framework which when erected in its final form is c.ad on one side only save for that area which is used for the cone" assage of services, such area being a minor portion of the area of the overall panel. i a

2. A building module as claimed in claim I, which is re rectangular in shape. 4

3. A building module as claimed in claim 1 or claim e 2, which is dimensioned to span vertically between the floor and ceiling/roof or floor and floor of a residential, commercial, or farm building.

4. A building module as claimed in claim 3, in which 4 to.* the framework comprises two spaced stud members defining o opposite edge walls and one or more braces and/or noggings 449r*4 S* spanning the space between the studs.

A building module as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are no braces and/or noggings in the regions adjacent the ends of the studs.

6. A building module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the regions adjacent the ends of the studs are defined by noggings, these regions being clad on both sides providing a concealed space for services. I i rl 4

7. A building module as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, in which there are three substantially equally spaced noggings with braces extending diagonally from the intersections of the noggings with the studs.

8. A building module as claimed in claim 4 or claim and including one or more openings defining regions for the accommodation of one or more window frames.

9. A building module as claimed in claim 4, in which there is one or two noggings and one opening defining a region for the accommodation of a door frame.

A building module as claimed in one of 4 9, in which the stud members include a longitudinal channel forming a closed conduit for services when the panels are erected in their final form.

11. A building module as claimed in any of claims 4 10, in which the top, and/or bottom in use, end of the studs is notched for the purpose of accommodating roof members, floor framing, cross-beams or rafters.

12. A building module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the lining is selected 1i'',n tsLeal or timber sheets and boardings.

13. A combination of building modules as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, when erected to define a building structure. L i ct 13

14. A combination as claimed in claim 13, wherein each building module is fixed to a suitable base by two L-shaped metal brackets connected to the inside of the framework.

A combination as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein adjacent modules are fixed together by naliing, stapling or screwing.

16. A building module substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A combination of building modules when erected to i define a building structure substantially as herein ,j described with reference to the attached drawings. Dated this 21st day ov November 1991 tI c MATTHEW GRAHAM-DUFFY (Original complete specification dated 5th December 1989). 4BT i *L -h S t I E l f t