CA3004013A1 - Self levelling building pod - Google Patents

Self levelling building pod Download PDF

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Publication number
CA3004013A1
CA3004013A1 CA3004013A CA3004013A CA3004013A1 CA 3004013 A1 CA3004013 A1 CA 3004013A1 CA 3004013 A CA3004013 A CA 3004013A CA 3004013 A CA3004013 A CA 3004013A CA 3004013 A1 CA3004013 A1 CA 3004013A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
pod
jacks
building
floor
walls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA3004013A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Kennedy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mod Panel Technologies Ltd
Original Assignee
Mod Panel Technologies Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mod Panel Technologies Ltd filed Critical Mod Panel Technologies Ltd
Priority to CA3004013A priority Critical patent/CA3004013A1/en
Publication of CA3004013A1 publication Critical patent/CA3004013A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04BGENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/348Structures composed of units comprising at least considerable parts of two sides of a room, e.g. box-like or cell-like units closed or in skeleton form
    • E04B1/34869Elements for special technical purposes, e.g. with a sanitary equipment

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)

Abstract

A prefabricated building pod, the pod comprising a floor, a roof and side walls connecting the floor and the roof. The pod also includes one or more jacks in the side walls; the jacks adjustable to extend below the floor. At a building site, the pod 10 may be lifted or moved into position on the building site. The jacks may be used to level the pod in location and connect any utilities of the pod 10.

Description

Attorney Docket: 17901-35 SELF LEVELLING BUILDING POD
TECHNICAL FIELD
100011 This disclosure relates to a self-levelling building pod. In particular, it relates to a modular building pod that may be pre-fabricated, transported to a building site and self-levelled.
BACKGROUND
100021 When building structures, typically much of the construction takes place on site.
Framing material, either wood or steel, is cut and attached to form the walls by workers at the construction site.
100031 For commercial retail structures, some aspects of structures can take additional time or special skills to construct on site. For example, bathrooms require plumbing, tiling and waterproofing that may delay the overall construction of a structure.
100041 In some cases, a portion of a structure, such as a room, may be built off-set or prefabricated. This portion of the structure may be transported to the building site and installed on the structure.
100051 It is desirable for a more efficient system and method for constructing prefabricated portions of structure and installing the portions at the building site.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100061 In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, 100071 Figure 1 is a first isometric view of an embodiment of a building pod;
100081 Figure 2 is a second isometric view of an embodiment of a building pod;

100091 Figure 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a pod support frame;

100101 Figure 4 is an end view of an embodiment of a pod support frame;
100111 Figure 5 is a view of a spreader bar used with the pod support frame.
100121 Figure 6 is a photo of the exterior of an embodiment of a pod prior to installation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100131 With reference to the drawings, a pre-fabricated building pod will be described.
100141 The building pod 10 is a pre-fabricated pod, that may comprise one or more rooms or portions of rooms for a structure. For example, the building pod 10 may comprise a bathroom of a commercial structure. A bathroom may require additional specialities or trades to construct, such as tiling, water proofing, plumbing and electricals that may not be required for other aspects of a structure, that can delay or increase the cost of constructing a building. By pre-fabricating a bathroom as a pod, the entire bathroom can be installed at the building site, without requiring any or as significant construction on-site of the bathroom. As described below, the pre-fabricated bathroom pod may contain all of the fixtures, and finishing.
100151 With reference to Figure 1, the pod 10 may include a floor 20, roof 30 and side walls. The walls may include an opening for doors and any windows. The floor of the pod may be rectangular, with the pod having four walls so the pod resembles a rectangular prism. The pod 10 may have alternative shapes, such as including cut-outs, or protrusions to fit the desired interior space of the room or rooms pre-fabricated and the remaining parts of the building structure.
100161 The walls may include studs, as well as a fully or partially finished interior wall surface, such as drywall or tiles. Similarly, the floor 20 and roof 30 may be fully or partially finished during pre-fabrication. The pod may be manufactured of wood, metals or a combination. Metal or wooden studs may be used to form the walls of the pod 10.
100171 The pod may include any electrical systems, such as switches, lights, fans, and/or HVAC. The electrical systems may be pre-fabricated in the pod. The electrical system '
- 2 -may include one or more connection ports or connection points for integrating the electrical system with the building electricals during the pod installation.
For example, the pod may include a junction box accessible on the outside or inside of the pod to facilitate easy connection of power cables to the pod from the building structure. An electrician or other installer may connect the one or more connection ports to electrical system of the building in order to provide power to the pod 10.
100181 The pod may also include plumbing. The plumbing may include fixtures such as hot and cold faucets, toilets, showers with both fresh and waste systems. The pod may include pipes with pipe termination points. During installation a plumber or other installer may connect the plumbing of the pod with the plumbing of the building.
100191 The pod 10 may include lift points 32 in the roof 30 or at other points on the pods.
The lift points 32 may allow the entire pod 10 to be lifted using a crane. A
lift point may comprise hooks or eyes that are connected to the structure of the pod so that the pod may be lifted without distorting or damaging the pod. A crane may be used to lift the pod 10 from a transport vehicle, such as a truck, to the building site. The pod 10 may be lifted and placed in or close to the desired location in the building site, such as on a concrete pad.
100201 The pod 10 includes one or more jacks within the walls of the pod 10.
The pod 10 preferably includes three jacks, 40a, 40b and 40c, with one jack in the middle of a first wall and two jacks at the ends of a wall opposite the first wall. In an embodiment, the pod may have four jacks, such as at or near the corners of the pod if the floor plan is rectangular. Each jack may include a support point, such as a wheel 42. The wheel 42 is preferably oriented to be able to roll on the surface on which the pod 10 is sitting. Wheel 42 may be a caster wheel and allow the pod to be more easily moved once on the building site, such as final positioning after being lifted into position by the crane.
If the support point does not include a wheel, the pod may be positioned while it is still elevated using the crane.
- 3 -100211 The jacks are preferably screw jacks with a threaded rod aligned vertically through a threaded restraining bracket. A lower end of the rod may have the support point, such as a wheel 42. The bracket may be affixed to the pod 10 within the wall, such as using the wall studs, or with posts connected to the roof, floor and/or braces. The jack rod may be rotated in the threaded restraining bracket to drive the rod through the bracket, raising or lowering the support point. Since the jack may support the weight of the pod 10 and any occupants, the bracket may be reinforced and firmly attached to the remainder of the pod 10.
100221 The jack may be raised or lowered. The jack may be raised and lowered using a crank attached to the rod. The crank may be manually operated or include electric or other automated drive system. The crank may include a removable handle or drive system. The jack may be mounted within the wall of the pod 10 and be accessible for raising and lowering from outside the pod. The jack preferably does not protrude from the wall, including into the interior of the pod. In this way the jack may be maintained or abandoned once installation of the pod is complete. Alternatively, the jacks may be exterior to the walls of the pod, such as being affixed to the exterior of the pod.
100231 The jack may be used to lift the pod from a first position where the pod is resting directly on the building structure, such as on a concrete pad, to a second position, where the pod is fully supported by the support points on the jacks. The pod 10 may be raised to any intermediate points such that it is partially supported on the concrete pad.
100241 The pod 10 may include an opening such that the support point, or wheel 42 can be raised frilly or partially inside the wall of the pod 10 so it no longer extends below the floor of the pod 10.
100251 The pod 10 may also include braces 50, preferably attached to the floor 20, roof 30 and walls on an angle. The braces may be strapping, such as of metal or wood, affixed to the exterior of the studs. Braces are preferably included on all walls of the pod. The braces provide rigidity to the pod 10, particularly during the transportation and installation of the pod 10. If the pod 10 has a fully or partially finished interior, any
- 4 -distortion of the pod may damage the finish, such as cracking drywall. Any damage would require repair, at additional cost and labour.
100261 The pod 10 may be prefabricated off-site, such as in a facility that can manufacture multiple pods at the same time or in sequence. By doing so, labour costs may be reduced as skill trades do not have to travel to a building site with their tools and supplies, and can work on multiple pods at the same time.
100271 Once pre-fabricated, the pod 10 may be transported to the building site, such as on a truck. During transportation, the jacks 40 may be raised such that the support point or wheel does not extend past the floor 20 of the pod 10 to reduce the risk of the jack 40 being damaged and if the jacks include wheel 42, to reduce the risk of the pod 10 rolling during transportation. If the jacks are within the walls, the jacks may be raised so that the entirety of the jack is within the wall for tranportation.
100281 At the building site, the pod 10 may be lifted, such as using lift points 32 using a crane. Alternatively, the pod 10 may be placed in a lifting device for transportation and lifting. The pod 10 may be positioned on the building site at or close to the desired position of the pod on the building site. The pod 10 is preferably positioned on a pad or a depression, such as in or on a concrete pad.
100291 The jacks 40 may be lowered, particularly if the jacks include wheels 42, to allow the pod to be more easily moved, by rolling of the wheels, to allow the pod 10 to be moved to the final positioning on the pad.
100301 The jacks 40 may be used to level the pod 10, by raising or lowering one or more of the jacks. For example, jack 40c may be lowered and jacks 40a and 40b raised to tip the pod 10 in the direction of jack 40c. If the concrete pad is not perfectly level, or is uneven, the jacks 40 may be used to raise or lower the pod 10. The pod 10 may include levels, such as one or more bubble levels built into the pod to allow it to be more easily levelled. Alternatively, the pod 10 may include a levelling point where an installer can apply a level during the installation process. The jacks may be used to temporarily raise
- 5 -the pod 10 to allow access to the underside of the pod to attach plumbing, electricals or other utilities to the building, prior to lowering the pod 10 into position.
100311 Shims may be inserted under the pod 10 to support the pod 10. During the levelling process, the pod 10 may be levelled and then raised and shims inserted and then lowered onto to the shims using the jacks. In this way, the pod 10 may be firmly supported by the shims in the correct and level position.
100321 Once the pod 10 is in position and levelled using the jacks 40, the installation of the pod 10 may continue, such as by connecting any remaining electricals and plumbing and affixing the pod to the building structure. Any handles or drive systems for the jacks may be removed. The jacks may include locks to fix or lock the jacks in position. If the jacks are fixed, the jacks may not be further adjusted up or down accidentally or with the passage of time. The jacks 40 may be left in position within the walls of the pod so the jacks 40 do not interfere with the interior of the pod 10 or with any adjoining aspects of the building structure. By leaving the jacks 40 in place, the jacks can keep the pod 10 level and in position, installers are not required to remove the jacks and the installers may avoid the need to add shims or other supports under the pod 10. In some embodiments, shims may be used to support the pod 10 either in addition to the jacks or instead of the jacks. If shims are used, the jacks may be retracted into the walls of the pod 10, or alternatively removed from the pod 10.
100331 The pod 10 may be permanently fixed to the adjoining building structure.
[00341 To assist with transporting and lifting the pod 10, a pod lifting device may be used. The lifting device may include a frame, made of light weight material, such as metal pipe. The frame is preferably slightly larger than the pod, such that the pod can be placed within the frame. The frame may include wheels to allow the frame (and pod) to be rolled into position. The frame may extend part way up the height of the pod with a spreader bar to provide a lift point above the pod.
- 6 -100351 Straps may be used to secure the pod to the frame during transportation.
Removable braces on the sides of the frame may be used to provide rigidity to the frame during transportation but the braces may be removed to allow the pod to be removed from the frame at the building site.
100361 Various embodiments of the present disclosure having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the disclosure. The disclosure includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
- 7 -

Claims (7)

WE CLAIM:
1. A prefabricated building pod, the pod comprising:
a floor, a roof and side walls connecting the floor and the roof;
one or more jacks in the side walls; the jacks adjustable to extend below the floor.
2. The prefabricated building pod of claim 1 further comprising:
a finished or partially finished interior;
3. The prefabricated building pod of claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of angled braces connected to the floor, roof and walls;
4. The prefabricated building pod of claim 1 wherein the jacks comprise:
a wheel at the exterior end of the jack;
a drive mechanism at the end interior end of the jack;
wherein the jack may be adjusted using the drive mechanism and when adjusted the wheel extends below the floor.
5. The prefabricated building pod of claim 1 wherein the drive mechanism is removable.
6. The prefabricated building pod of claim 1 wherein the pod contains a pre-fabricated bathroom.
7. A method of installing a pre-fabricated building pod, the method comprising:
a) lifting the pre-fabricated pod onto a building site;
b) positioning the pre-fabricated pod into a pre-determined position on the building side;

c) using one or more jacks built into the walls of the pod, adjusting the height of the pod;
d) using one or more jacks permanently built into the walls of the pod, adjusting the level of the pod.
e) connecting utilities to the pod.
CA3004013A 2018-05-04 2018-05-04 Self levelling building pod Abandoned CA3004013A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3004013A CA3004013A1 (en) 2018-05-04 2018-05-04 Self levelling building pod

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3004013A CA3004013A1 (en) 2018-05-04 2018-05-04 Self levelling building pod

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA3004013A1 true CA3004013A1 (en) 2019-11-04

Family

ID=68465390

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA3004013A Abandoned CA3004013A1 (en) 2018-05-04 2018-05-04 Self levelling building pod

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA3004013A1 (en)

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20220301