EP0320745A1 - Modular building structure and prefabricated components therefor and related methods - Google Patents

Modular building structure and prefabricated components therefor and related methods Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0320745A1
EP0320745A1 EP88120314A EP88120314A EP0320745A1 EP 0320745 A1 EP0320745 A1 EP 0320745A1 EP 88120314 A EP88120314 A EP 88120314A EP 88120314 A EP88120314 A EP 88120314A EP 0320745 A1 EP0320745 A1 EP 0320745A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
members
coupler
supporting base
panel
wall
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP88120314A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles Jerry Carman
Frederick James Brannan
Robert David Dangler
Thomas Joseph Dillon
Everett Keith Haag
Samuel Donald Nehmey
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.)
Goodrich Corp
Original Assignee
BF Goodrich Corp
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 BF Goodrich Corp filed Critical BF Goodrich Corp
Publication of EP0320745A1 publication Critical patent/EP0320745A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/348—Structures 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
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/72—Non-load-bearing walls of elements of relatively thin form with respect to the thickness of the wall
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/0007—Base structures; Cellars
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/02—Structures consisting primarily of load-supporting, block-shaped, or slab-shaped elements
    • E04B1/12—Structures consisting primarily of load-supporting, block-shaped, or slab-shaped elements the elements consisting of other material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to modular building structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular building structures that can be constructed with a plurality of prefabricated structural components. Specifically, the present invention relates to a modular building structure that can be constructed from preformed structural components and erected by virtue of a novel method in a relatively short time without the need for craftsmen skilled in the building trades.
  • the Crowe U.S. Patent, No. 1,998,448 discloses the factory prefabrication of steel frame panel units of standard dimensions which are filled with cementitious material and assembled so as to leave vertical spaces between adjacent vertical walls for utility connection and with laterally adjacent panels being joined by cover strips or slabs which are interconnected thereto.
  • the Wagner U.S. Patent, No. 2,850,771 discloses a prefabricated con­struction system wherein wooden panels are interconnected to vertical posts or columns with the vertical edges of the wooden wall panels and the posts having grooved areas and with spline blocks being used to interconnect the two.
  • the Bolt U.S. Patent, No. 3,284,966 is of general interest in showing a prefabricated building which can be readily assembled or erected at the job site and which is collapsible for transportation purposes.
  • the Moore U.S. Patent, No. 3,783,563 discloses a prefabricated building constructed of panels formed of molded plastic material, reinforced with glass fibers, and wherein the panels have channels or ribs on their edges adapted to mate with complementary structures of connector members.
  • a modular building structure embodying the concepts of the present invention is erected on a supporting base.
  • the supporting base delineates the locus of points which define the horizontal location of at least the exterior, and preferably also the interior, walls of the modular building structure.
  • a plurality of load bearing coupler members are disposed at intervals along the aforesaid locus of points, and the coupler members are oriented substantially vertically with respect to the supporting base. Means are provided to secure at least selective of the coupler members to the supporting base.
  • a plurality of panel members are interposed between the successively spaced coupler members, and means are provided structurally to tie the panel members to the coupler members.
  • a plurality of supplemental structural components are provided to accommodate the selective construction, placement, and operation, of doors and windows as well as to facili­tate the support and joinder of juxtaposed components forming the roof of the modular building structure.
  • the representative building structure 10 may, for example, be employed to serve as residential living quarters.
  • the living quarters may be individual, free standing living units, or the living quarters may comprise a successive series of living units, much in the style of the "town house,” or "twinplex,” concepts having a common wall which separates adjacent living units.
  • the structure depicted therein includes one complete living unit 11 which may be integrally juxtaposed with a successively adjacent living unit 12 that is only partially depicted.
  • the living unit 11 may include two bedrooms 13A and 13B, a bathroom l4 and a combined eating and living room area 15.
  • Front and rear doors 16 and 18, respectively, allow ingress and egress from the combined eating and living room area 15, and a plurality of windows 19 can be appropriately located to admit light and/or to permit the selective circula­tion of air.
  • the representative living unit 11 has an exterior wall 20 which con­stitutes the front facade, an exterior wall 21 which constitutes the rear facade, an exterior wall 22 which constitutes the exposed, end facade, and a common wall 23 which serves to separate the successively adjacent living units 11 and 12. It should be understood that if living unit 11 were to be an individual, free standing structure, the wall 23 would, in that situation, also constitute an exposed, end facade.
  • the entire living unit 11 is covered by a roof 24 (FIG. 1) which may, as depicted, continue longitudinally of the building structure 10 to cover the living unit 12, as well.
  • a window 19A may be provided in the exterior wall 20 to serve bedroom 13A, and a similar window l9B may be provided in the exterior wall 21 to serve bedroom 13B.
  • a pair of windows 19C and 19D may be provided in the exterior wall 20 to serve the combined eating and living area 15, and an optional window l9E may be provided in the exterior wall 21 to serve the bathroom 14.
  • the front door 16 is provided in the exterior wall 20, and the rear door 18 is provided in the exterior wall 21.
  • an interior wall 25 extends inwardly from that exterior wall 22 which forms the end facade to divide the bedrooms 13A and 13B, one from the other.
  • An interior wall 26 extends inwardly from the exterior wall 20 which forms the front facade to divide the bedroom 13A from the combined eating and living area 15, and an interior wall 27 extends inwardly from the exterior wall 21 which forms the rear facade to divide the bedroom 13B from the bathroom 14.
  • An additional interior wall 28 extends inwardly from the exterior wall 21 which forms the rear facade, and a return wall 29 may be provided at the innermost terminus of the interior wall 28.
  • the interior walls 28 and 29 collectively serve to divide the bathroom 14 from the combined eating and living area 15.
  • An interior door 31A may be employed to provide selective privacy to one bedroom 13A, and a similar, interior door 31B may be employed to provide selective privacy to the other bedroom 13B.
  • a third, interior door 31C may be employed to provide selective privacy to the bathroom 14.
  • a plurality of load bearing coupler members are disposed at spaced intervals along the locus of points which delineate the exterior walls 20-22, the common wall 23, the interior walls 25-28 and the return wall 29.
  • a successive plurality of panel members 35 are interposed between the successively spaced coupler members 30 to form the previously identified interior, as well as the exterior, walls.
  • Certain additional structural components are employed in con­junction not only with fabricating, and hanging, the doors 16, 18 and 31 and the windows 19 but also with effecting the structural ties that must exist between the supporting base and the walls, the walls with each other and the walls with the roof, all during erection of the building structure 10 as will hereinafter be described in detail.
  • the plurality of structural components most commonly employed in the construc­tion of the walls and roof of a building structure 10 will first be described in detail.
  • the panel member 35 has a body portion 36.
  • the body portion 36 has planar, transversely spaced, substantially parallel, wall skins 38 and 39.
  • a plurality of reinforcing ribs 40 extend transversely between the wall skins 38 and 39.
  • the ribs 40 are, themselves, laterally spaced, one with respect to the others, and they are oriented substantially parallel to the lateral edges of the body portion 36.
  • the lateral edges of the body portion 36 are delineated by positioning shoulders 41 and 42 presented at the opposite ends of each wall skin.
  • a positioning shoulder 41A defines one lateral edge of skin 38
  • a corresponding, and opposed, positioning shoulder 41B defines one lateral edge of wall skin 39.
  • the positioning shoulders 41A and 41B are transversely opposed and define not only one lateral edge of the body portion 36 but also the offset juncture between the body portion 36 and the connecting tongue 45 which extends longitudinally along that lateral edge of the body portion defined by the positioning shoulders 41, as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.
  • a positioning shoulder 42A defines the second lateral edge of skin 38
  • a corresponding, and opposed, positioning shoulder 42B defines the second lateral edge of wall skin 39.
  • the positioning shoulders 42A and 42B are transversely opposed and define not only the second lateral edge of the body portion 36 but also the offset juncture between the body portion 36 and the connecting tongue 46 which extends longitudinally along that lateral edge of the body portion defined by the positioning shoulders 42.
  • the tongue 45 has a transversely oriented closure wall 48 that is laterally spaced from the lateral edge of the body portion 36 defined by the positioning shoulders 41A and 41B.
  • the transverse edges of the closure wall 48 are joined to transversely spaced, locking walls 49 and 50.
  • a longitudinally extending locking groove 51 is recessed into the tongue 45 between the locking wall 49 and the body portion 36 such that the locking groove 51 lies parallel with, and adjacent to, the positioning shoulder 41A.
  • a longitudinally extending locking groove 52 is similarly recessed into the tongue 45 between the locking wall 50 and the body portion 36 such that the locking groove 52 lies parallel with, and adjacent to, the positioning shoulder 41B.
  • the tongue 46 has a transversely oriented closure wall 53 that is laterally spaced from the lateral edge of the body portion 36 defined by the positioning shoulders 42A and 42B.
  • the transverse edges of the closure wall 53 are joined to transversely spaced, locking walls 54 and 55.
  • a longitudinally extending locking groove 56 is recessed into the tongue 46 between the locking wall 54 and the body portion 36 such that the locking groove 56 lies parallel with, and adjacent to, the positioning shoulder 42A.
  • a longitudinally extending locking groove 58 is similarly recessed into the tongue 45 between the locking wall 55 and the body portion 36 such that the locking groove 58 lies parallel with, and adjacent to, the positioning shoulder 42B.
  • the pair of tongues 45 and 46 presented from the lateral edges 41 and 42, respectively, of the body portion 36 have a transverse thickness that is less that the transverse thickness of the body portion 36.
  • the locking walls 49 and 54 are transversely offset with respect to the plane of the wall skin 38, and the locking walls 50 and 55 are transversely offset with respect to the plane of the wall skin 39. It is these lateral offsets of the four locking walls 49, 50, 54 and 55 relative to the two skin walls 38 and 39 which results in the transverse thickness of the tongues 45 and 46 being less that the transverse thickness of the body portion 36.
  • the functional purpose for this deliberate disparity between the transverse thickness of the tongues 45 and 46 relative to the transverse thickness of the body portion 36 in each panel member 35 will be hereinafter more fully explained.
  • coupler members 30 There are at least two types, and perhaps three sub-types, of coupler members 30 which may be employed in the construction of a building structure 10 embodying the concepts of the present invention.
  • coupler members 30 there are the primary coupler members 30A, 30B, 30C and 30D, as depicted in FIGS. 4 through 7, respectively, and there is a secondary coupler member 30E, as depicted in FIG. 8.
  • the primary coupler member 30A depicted in FIG. 4 is employed to effect a structural tie between two, linearly oriented members.
  • a primary coupler member 30A might be employed to effect a structural tie between two panel members 35, a panel member 35 and a door 16, 18 or 31, a panel member 35 and a window 19 or any other desired arrangement wherein the structural components secured through a primary coupler member 30A are desired to be linearly oriented.
  • the primary coupler members 30A through 30D, inclusive, each have a body portion 6l that is preferably of box-shaped cross section. That is, the body portion 61 is hollow and has a generally rectilinear, external periphery which defines a plurality of exterior faces such as the four 62, 63, 64 and 65 depicted.
  • the box-shaped cross section provides excellent bending strength with minimal material as well as excellent columnar strength with a superb L/R ratio.
  • At least one pair of connecting flanges 70 is presented from said body portion 61.
  • Each connecting flange 70 has an extension arm 71 with proximal and distal edges 72 and 73, respectively.
  • the proximal edge 72 on the extension arm 71 of each connecting flange 70 is integrally secured to the body portion 61 such that the extension arms 71 are each oriented in perpendicular relation with respect to one exterior face and in coplanar relation with respect to one, adjacent, exterior face.
  • the extension arm 71A incorporated in the first pair of connecting flanges 70A is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 62 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 65.
  • the extension arm 71B incorporated in the first pair of connecting flanges 70A is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 62 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 63.
  • the extension arms 71A and 71B are thus disposed in transversely spaced, parallel relation to form the first pair of the connecting arms 70A.
  • a locking pawl 75 extends transversely outwardly from the distal edge 73 of each extension arm 71A and 71B forming the first pair of connecting flanges 70A. Specifically, pawl 75A is presented from the distal end 73 of the extension arm 71A, and the pawl 75B is presented from the distal end of the extension arm 71B. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the pawls 75A and 75B so provided extend toward each other in facing opposition.
  • the primary coupler member 30A depicted in FIG. 4, also employs a second pair of connecting flanges 70B that extend outwardly from said body portion 61 in a diametrically opposite direction relative to the first pair of con­necting flanges 70A.
  • the extension arm 71C incorporated in the second pair of connecting flanges 70B is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 64 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 65.
  • the extension arm 71D incorporated in the second pair of connecting flanges 70B is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 64 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 63.
  • the extension arms 71C and 71D are thus disposed in transversely spaced, parallel relation to form the second pair of the connecting arms 70B.
  • a locking pawl 75 also extends transversely outwardly from the distal edge 73 of each extension arm 71C and 71D in the second pair of connecting flanges 70B.
  • the locking pawls 75C and 75D presented from the distal ends of the extension arms 71C and 71D, respectively, forming the second pair of con­necting flanges 70B also extend toward each other in facing opposition.
  • the primary coupler member 30B depicted in FIG. 5 is employed to effect a structural tie between two perpendicularly oriented members.
  • a primary coupler member 30B might be employed to effect a structural tie bet­ween two panel members 35, a panel member 35 and a door 16, 18 or 31, a panel member 35 and a window 19 or any other desired arrangement wherein the struc­tural components secured through a primary coupler member 30B are desired to be perpendicularly oriented.
  • the first pair of connecting flanges 70A incorporated on the primary coupler member 30B depicted in FIG. 5 are identical with the first pair of connecting flanges 70A incorporated on the primary coupler member 30A depicted in FIG. 4, and the description of the first pair of connecting flanges 70A need not, therefore, be reiterated. Nevertheless, the same numerical designations have been applied to each element in the structural configuration of the first pair of connecting flanges 70A depicted in FIG. 5 as appear in conjunction with the first pair of connecting flanges 70A depicted in FIG. 4 so that one may refer to the descrip­tion set forth in conjunction with FIG. 4 should any question arise relative to the structural arrangement of the first pair of connecting flanges 70A employed with the primary coupler member 30B depicted in FIG. 5.
  • the primary coupler member 30B depicted in FIG. 5, also employs a second pair of connecting flanges 70C, but the second pair of connecting flanges 70C extend outwardly from said body portion 61 in a direction that is perpen­dicular relative to the direction at which the first pair of connecting flanges 70A extend outwardly from the body portion 61.
  • extension arm 71E incorporated in the second pair of connecting flanges 70C is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 63 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 64.
  • extension arm 71F incorporated in the second pair of connecting flanges 70C is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 63 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 62.
  • the extension arms 71E and 71F are thus disposed in transversely spaced, parallel relation to form the second pair of connecting flanges 70C on the primary coupler member 30B.
  • a locking pawl 75 also extends transversely outwardly from the distal edge 73 of each extension arm 71E and 71F in the second pair of connecting flanges 70C. That is, pawl 75E is presented from the distal end 73 of the exten­sion arm 71E, and pawl 75F is presented form the distal end of the extension arm 71F.
  • the locking pawls 75E and 75F thus presented from the distal ends of the extension arms 71E and 71F forming the second pair of connecting flanges 70C also extend toward each other in facing opposition.
  • the primary coupler member 30C depicted in FIG. 6 is employed to effect a structural tie between three members, two of which are linearly oriented and the third of which is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the other two.
  • a primary coupler member 30C might be employed to effect a structural tie between three panel members 35, two panel members 35 and a door 16, 18 or 31, two panel members 35 and a window 19 or any other desired arrangement wherein the structural components converge to a common juncture point.
  • first and second pair of connecting flanges 70A and 70B incorporated on the primary coupler member 30C depicted in FIG. 6 are identical with the first and second pair of connecting flanges 70A and 70B incorporated on the primary coupler member 30A depicted in FIG. 4.
  • the description of the first and second pair of connecting flanges 70A and 70B need not, therefore, be reiterated.
  • the same numerical designations have been applied to each element in the structural configuration of the first and second pairs of connecting flanges 70A and 70B depicted in FIG. 6 as appear in conjunction with the first and second pairs of connecting flanges 70A and 70B depicted in FIG. 4 so that one may refer to the description set forth in conjunction with FIG. 4 should any question arise relative to the structural arrangement of the first or second pair of connecting flanges 70A or 70B employed with the primary coupler member 30C depicted in FIG. 6.
  • the primary coupler member 30C depicted in FIG. 6 also employs a third pair of connecting flanges 70C, but the third pair of connecting flanges 70C extend outwardly from said body portion 61 in a direction that is perpendicular relative to the direction at which the first and second pairs of connecting flanges 70A and 70B extend outwardly from the body portion 61.
  • the third pair of connecting flanges 70C incorporated on the primary coupler member 30C depicted in FIG. 6 are identical with the second pair of connecting flanges 70C incorporated on the primary coupler member 30B depicted in FIG. 5.
  • the description of the second pair of con­necting flanges 70C described in conjunction with the primary coupler member 30B depicted in FIG. 5 need not, therefore, be reiterated to define the third pair of connecting flanges 70C utilized with the primary coupler member 30C.
  • the same numerical designation has been applied to each element in the structural configuration of the third pair of connecting flanges 70C depicted in FIG. 6 as appear in conjunction with the second pair of connecting flanges 70C depicted in FIG. 5 so that one may refer to the description set forth in conjunc­tion with FIG. 5 should any question arise relative to the structural arrangement of the third pair of connecting flanges 70C employed with the primary coupler member 30C depicted in FIG. 6.
  • the primary coupler member 30D depicted in FIG. 7 is employed to effect a structural tie between four members arranged in two pairs, each pair being linearly oriented with respect to each other and perpendicularly oriented with respect to the other pair.
  • a primary coupler member 30D might be employed to effect a structural tie between four panel members 35, three panel members 35 and a door 16, 18 or 31, three panel members 35 and a window 19 or any other desired arrangement wherein four structural components converge to a common juncture point.
  • the first, second and third pairs of connecting flanges 70A, 70B and 70C incorporated on the primary coupler member 30D depicted in FIG. 7 are identical with the first, second and third pairs of connecting flanges 70A, 70B and 70C incorporated on the primary coupler member 30C depicted in FIG. 6.
  • the description of the first, second and third pairs of connecting flanges 70A, 70B and 70C need not, therefore, be reiterated. Nevertheless, the same numerical designations have been applied to each element in the structural configuration of the first and second pairs of connector flanges 70A and 70B depicted in FIG.
  • the primary coupler member 30D depicted in FIG. 7 also employs a fourth pair of connecting flanges 70D, and the fourth pair of connecting flanges 70D not only extend outwardly from said body portion 61 in a direction that is perpendicular relative to the direction at which the first and second pair of connecting flanges 70A and 70B extend outwardly from the body portion 61 but also extend outwardly from the body portion 61 in a direction that is diametrically opposite to the direction at which the third pair of connecting flanges 70C extend outwardly from the body portion 61.
  • extension arm 71G incorporated in the fourth pair of connecting flanges 70D is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 65 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 64.
  • extension arm 71H incorporated in the fourth pair of connecting flanges 70D is oriented not only in perpendicular relation with respect to the exterior face 65 but also in coplanar relation with respect to the exterior face 62.
  • the extension arms 71G and 71H are thus disposed in transversely spaced, parallel relation to form a fourth pair of connecting arms 70D.
  • a locking pawl 75 also extends transversely outwardly from the distal edge 73 of each extension arm 71G and 71H in the fourth pair of connecting flanges 70D.
  • the locking pawls 75G and 75H presented from the distal ends of the extension arms 71G and 71H forming the fourth pair of connecting flanges 70D also extend toward each other in facing opposition.
  • the secondary coupler member 30E depicted in FIG. 8 is also employed to effect a structural tie between two linearly oriented members.
  • the secondary coupler member 30E is particularly adapted for use at those locations where a greater resistance is required to bending stresses than to columnar stresses or at those locations where the additional columnar strength afforded by the primary coupler members is not required.
  • secondary coupler members 30E may be alternated with the primary coupler members 30A in the construction of walls, assuming that sufficient columnar strength for the particular wall can be achieved by so alternating the coupler members.
  • the secondary coupler member 30E is, therefore, particularly suited to usage in the construction of roofs, as will hereinafter be more fully described.
  • the secondary coupler member employs a web portion 81 with a first and second pair of connecting flanges extending outwardly from said web portion in diametrically opposite directions.
  • first and second pair of connecting flanges 70A and 70B incorporated on the secondary coupler member 30E depicted in FIG. 8 are identical with the first and second pair of connecting flanges 70A and 70B incorporated on the primary coupler member 30A depicted in FIG. 4, and the description of the first and second pair of connecting flanges 70A and 70B need not, therefore, be reiterated.
  • the same numerical designations have been applied to the various elements of the first and second pairs of connector flanges 70A and 70B depicted in FIG.
  • the jamb member 90 depicted in FIG. 9 is employed to effect a struc­tural tie between a door 16, 18 or 31 and a coupler member 30, or a window 19 and a coupler member 30.
  • the jamb member 90 can be interconnected to any of the variations of the primary coupler members 30A through 30D, or, for that matter, the secondary member 30E.
  • the jamb member 90 has a body portion 91 which presents transversely spaced, substantially parallel casing surfaces 92 and 93.
  • a jamb surface 94A extends transversely of the body portion 91 in opposition to a jamb surface 94B which extends transversely of the body portion 91 at the corresponding lateral edge of the casing surface 93.
  • a stop block 95 extends laterally outwardly from the opposed, and aligned, jamb surfaces 94A and 94B to present oppositely directed stop surfaces 96.
  • the stop surface 96A extends perpendicularly outwardly from the jamb sur­face 94A
  • the stop surface 96B extends perpendicularly outwardly from the jamb surface 94B.
  • the stop surfaces 96A and 96B are substantially parallel to each other and to the casing surfaces 92 and 93, as well.
  • a closure surface 97 extends transversely of the stop block 95 in substantially perpendicular relation to the stop surfaces 96 and in substantially parallel relation to the jamb surfaces 94 to define one lateral edge of the jamb member 90.
  • the oppositely directed lateral edge of the jamb member 90 is delineated by positioning shoulders 42.
  • a positioning shoulder 42A defines one lateral edge of the casing surface 92
  • a corresponding, and opposed, position­ing shoulder 42B defines one lateral edge of the casing surface 93
  • the position­ing shoulders 42A and 42B are transversely opposed and define not only the second lateral edge of the jamb member 90 but also the offset juncture between the body portion 9l and the connecting tongue 46 which extends longitudinally along that lateral edge of the body portion defined by the positioning shoulders 42.
  • the tongue 46 incorporated on the jamb member 90 is identical with the tongue 46 incor­porated on the panel member 35, and the description of the tongue 46 need not, therefore, be reiterated.
  • the same numerical designa­tions have been applied to the tongue 46 on the jamb member 90 depicted in FIG. 9 as appear in conjunction with the tongue 46 incorporated on the panel member 35 so that one may refer to the description set forth in conjunction with FIG. 3 should any question arise relative to the structural configuration of the tongue 46 employed with the jamb member 90 depicted in FIG. 9.
  • the closure frame 100 is a structural member having a generally rectilinear overall outline that is interrupted by a first recess 101 and an oppositely directed second recess 102.
  • No matter how one mentally envisions the closure frame 100 it may preferably be hollow to minimize unnecessary weight.
  • a hollow, rectilinear glazing bead 110 will cooperatively interact with the recesses 101 or 102, as will hereinafter be more fully described.
  • the adjacent ends of selected lengths 111 and 112 of the closure frame 100 may be mitered and joined together in the traditional manner to form a frame for receiving an insert 113.
  • the insert 113 may be a transparent, or translucent, pane of glass, or the like.
  • the insert 113 may be an opaque sheet of plastic, or the like, depending upon the desires of the people using the building structure 10.
  • the insert 113 may be received within the recess 102 which circumscribes the inside opening 114 outlined by the frame formed from selected lengths 111, 112 et cetera of the closure frame 100.
  • the insert 113 may be secured in position by appropriate lengths of the glazing bead 110 which may be demountably fastened to the closure frame 100 by virtue of a plurality of screws 115 which extend through the glazing bead 110 and into one wall 116 of the closure frame 100.
  • joinder plug 120 may be employed to secure the adjacent ends of two lengths 111 and 112 of the closure frame 100.
  • the joinder plug 120 may have a corner portion 121 which will remain exposed and which may, if desired, have an exterior configuration which identically matches that of the closure frame members 100. In that way one can provide a smooth exterior surface to the entire assemblage which circumscribes the inside opening 114.
  • Suitably configured legs 122 and 123 may extend outwardly from the corner portion 121 of the joinder plug 120, preferably at right angles to each other, in order to be insertably received within the hollow interior 124 of those lengths 111 and 112 of the closure frame 100 to be joined.
  • One may effect a permanent joinder by the use of an appropriate adhesive 125 between the legs 122 and 123 and the interior surface 126 of the closure frame 100.
  • the lengths 111 and 112 of the closure frame 100 may be releasably secured to the legs 122 and 123 of the joinder plug 120 by the use of removable fasteners.
  • the screw 115 may serve the dual function of securing a glazing bead 110 to the closure frame 100 as well as securing the lengths 111 and 112 of the closure frame 100 to the joinder plug 120.
  • thermoplastic resin such as fiberglass and provide a material commonly referred to as a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). While a variety of thermoplastic materials and fiber reinforcements are known, one particularly suitable FRP comprises vinyl chloride resins reinforced with glass fibers.
  • the amount of fiber reinforcement in such a product can range: broadly from about five to 50 percent by weight, based upon the combined weight of glass fibers and vinyl chloride resin; desirably from about 10 to 40 percent by weight; preferably about 15 to 35 percent by weight; and, most preferably about 30 per­cent by weight.
  • a good disclosure of these products and the process for their preparation can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,360, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the structural components comprise vinyl chloride resins reinforced by glass fiber and therefore, the invention is not to be limited thereto or by the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,360.
  • the structural components may not be fiber reinforced or even thermoplastic so long as they can be manufactured in the configurations described herein.
  • FIG. 1 a supporting base 130
  • the supporting base 130 or at least the locus of points which define the walls -- and particularly the exterior walls -- to be erected on the supporting base 130, must be accurately located, and dimen­sioned.
  • the concepts of the present invention permit the various structural components from which the building structure is to be constructed to be mass produced, off site, and delivered for assembly without special tools and without the special skills of the building trade craftsmen.
  • the various structural components are simply to be intercon­nected by unskilled laborers, and after all the various structural components have been put together the result is a completed building structure 10.
  • the dimensions, and layout, of the supporting base 130 are critical to the proper relation of each structural component to the previously, and subsequently, erected structural components as well as to all the structural components which comprise the completed building structure 10.
  • the supporting base 130 can well comprise a footing, a slab, a deck, a plurality of piers or any other arrangement by which to support the building structure 10.
  • the supporting base 130 must present the locus of points which define at least the exterior walls of the building structure.
  • One way by which to accomplish the critical objective of accurately delineating the aforesaid locus of points is to provide forms 131 (FIGS. 11 and 12) which will not only permit a supporting base 130 in the nature of a concrete footing, slab or the like to be poured with the necessary dimensional accuracy but also to provide a built-in arrangement for locating the means by which to tie selected primary coupler members 30 to the resulting supporting base 130.
  • a pair of forms 131A and 131B may be disposed, as shown, to define the outer periphery at one corner of a supporting base 130A upon which a building structure 10 as depicted in FIG. 1 can be erected.
  • a plurality of such forms 131A and 131B may well be employed to delineate the outer periphery of the entire supporting base 130A.
  • a plurality of tabs 132 are fixedly secured to, and extend horizontally from, the top edge 133 of the forms 131A and 131B to overlie the prepared surface 134 upon which the supporting base 130A will be poured, and each tab 132 presents a recessed guide slot 135 that is of appropriate length and width accurately to determine the locations along the locus of points which define the exterior walls of the building structure 10 at which it is desired, or required, that a reinforcing rod 136 be located to tie selected primary coupler members 30A-30D to the supporting base 130A.
  • At least one other style of form 131 will also be subsequently described in detail herein. Irrespective of which style form is employed, however, the objective is to provide a supporting base 130 from which the building can be erected, and to which selective coupler members 30 can be secured. In this regard one must assure not only that preselected coupler members 30 are permanently secured to the supporting base 130 when the building has been com­pleted but also that some means are provided to effect an interim anchoring of the coupler members 30 relative to the supporting base 130 during construction.
  • the means for effecting the anchoring of the coupler members to the supporting base should -- in addition to effecting a permanent anchor by which to resist the wind loading applied against the outside of the exterior walls, which tends to force the walls inwardly of the building -- effect an interim resistance to loadings applied against the interior of the exterior walls, at least prior to the time that the permanent anchoring has been achieved.
  • Two of the arrangements depicted herein to effect permanent anchoring against lateral loads effect the necessary interim resistance, as well, but the third arrangement disclosed herein, and the one which is first described, requires assistance during the construction phase in order to provide the necessary interim protection.
  • the reinforcing rod 136 struc­turally anchored in the supporting base 130A by virtue of the well know provision of a hook 138 buried in the concrete from which the supporting base 130A is formed, extends vertically upwardly out of the supporting base 130A to penetrate the sill plate 140A, through a bore 141, to be received interiorly of a hollow, primary, coupler member, such as member 30A depicted.
  • the interior of the hollow coupler member 30A may be filled with concrete 142 to encase the rein­forcing rod 136.
  • the reinforcing rod 136 should normally extend upwardly on the order of approximately 18 to 24 inches (approximately 45 to 61 cm.).
  • the concrete 142 thereby assures a permanent anchoring of the coupler member 30A to the supporting base 130, through the reinforcing rod 136 to resist substantial lateral loads, but only after the concrete has "cured.”
  • the sill plate 140A employed in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 13 may be in the configuration of a Z-bar.
  • the central web portion 143 thereof has lateral edges from which flange portions 144 and 145 extend perpen­dicularly outwardly, but in opposite directions.
  • the flange portion 144 overlies, and preferably engages, the peripheral edge 146 of the supporting base 130A.
  • the flange 145 extends upwardly from the supporting base 130A to engage the primary coupler member 30A along that face 65 directed toward the interior of the building structure 10.
  • the substantially vertical disposition of the flange 145 relative to the horizontally disposed central web portion 143 also serves as an effective means by which to preclude the admission of water into the building 10 from beneath the exterior walls.
  • the structural arrangement depicted in FIG. 13 does not provide an interim anchor which would preclude the movement of either the primary coupler member 30 or the other structural components from which the wall 20 is formed from moving outwardly away from the flange 145.
  • one may, for example, drive stakes 147 into the ground surrounding the supporting base 130A and utilize those stakes, or other comparable means, to effect the necessary interim anchoring of the wall 20 against laterally outward movement until such time as the permanent anchor means becomes fully operational.
  • a shim, or block, 148 may be interposed between the stake 147 and the wall 20 to effect the necessary interim anchor.
  • sill plate 140 If the need to supply interim anchor means by virtue of some tem­porary structural arrangement not incorporated in the sill plate 140 itself is unacceptable, one may certainly employ an alternative configuration for a sill plate, representative examples of which will hereinafter be described.
  • a sill plate 140B may, by means well known to the art, be releasably secured to, and extend horizontally outwardly from, the top edge 133 of each form 131C to overlie the prepared surface 134 upon which the supporting base 130B will be poured. As is best seen from FIG. l4, the sill plate 140B may be retained in the concrete which constitutes the supporting base 130B even after the forms 131C are removed.
  • a supporting base 130B poured onto the prepared surface 134 circum­scribed by a plurality of forms 131C provides a cross section in conformity with that perhaps best depicted in FIG. 14.
  • each hollow coupler members 30A into which a reinforcing rod 136 extends is preferably also filled with concrete 142 in order to achieve the necessary struc­tural tie between the coupler 30A and the supporting base 130B, through reinforc­ing rod 136, as heretofore explained in conjunction with the description of the supporting base 130A.
  • the sill plate 140B employed in the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 12 and 14 may be in the configuration of a J-bar.
  • the central web portion 150 of the sill plate 140B is disposed substantially horizontally, and a first flange portion 151 extends substantially perpendicularly upwardly from one lateral edge of the central web portion 150.
  • the concrete poured thereunder delineates a shelf 152 in the peripheral edge 153 of the supporting base 130B. That surface of the shelf 152 which is formed by the central web portion 150 becomes a substantially horizontally oriented bearing surface 154, and that surface of the shelf 152 which is formed by the first flange portion 151 becomes a substantially vertically oriented reaction surface 155.
  • the first flange portion 151 remains in contiguous juxtaposition with the reaction surface 155 and is, to that extent, also properly considered to be a portion of the reaction surface which is engaged by that face 65 on the primary coupler member 30A which is directed toward the interior of the building 10. Any wind loading applied exteriorly of the wall -- wall 20, for example, as depicted -- in which the coupler member 30A is employed will be resisted not only by the reinforcing rod 136 but also by the substantially vertically extending first flange portion 151 and the reaction surface 155 presented by the shelf 152 of the supporting base 130B.
  • the substantially vertical disposition of the first flange portion 151 relative to the horizontally disposed central web portion 150 also serves as an effective means by which to preclude the admission of water into the building 10 from beneath the wall 20.
  • a second flange extends outwardly from the other lateral edge of the web portion 150. At least a first portion 158 of the second flange extends outwardly of the web portion 150 in the same direction as the first flange 151, and a second portion 159 of the second flange extends outward of the web por­tion 150 in an opposite direction relative to the first flange portion 151.
  • the first portion 158 of the second flange is thus disposed in parallel, laterally spaced relation relative to the first flange portion 151 and may well serve as the interim anchor means by which to resist any lateral forces applied against the interior of any wall erected upon the sill plate 140B.
  • the second portion 159 of the second flange overlies, and preferably engages, a portion of the peripheral edge 153 of the supporting base 130B.
  • the second portion 159 of the second flange therefore, primarily serves as a decora­tive means by which to camouflage the visible boundary between the central web portion 150 of the sill plate 140B and the supporting base 130B.
  • sill plate 140B is employed along the full perimeter of the building 10, it will serve to achieve the aforesaid, desired objectives therealong.
  • a jamb member 90 is capable of being cooperatively received on the web portion 150 and between the flanges 151 and 158 of the sill plate 140B.
  • the jamb member 90 be disposed beneath the structural members other than the primary coupler members 30, it is highly desirable that the downwardly directed ends of the other structural members which engage the jamb member 90 be recessed in a configuration which matingly engages the upwardly directed cross sectional profile of the jamb member 90.
  • the doors and windows will cooperatively engage the jamb member 90, as will hereinafter be more fully explained in conjunction with description of the interaction between the closure frames 100 and the jamb members 90.
  • the sill plate 140C has a horizontally disposed, generally planar, backing 165.
  • a stop block 166 extends vertically upwardly from the medial portion of the backing 165 such that the portions of the backing 165 extending laterally outwardly from the stop block 166 present opposed, and aligned, jamb surfaces 168A and 168B.
  • the lateral walls of the stop block 166 present oppositely directed stop surfaces 169A and 169B.
  • the stop surface 169A extends perpendicularly upwardly from the jamb surface 168A, and the stop sur­face 169B extends perpendicularly upwardly from the jamb surface 168B. As such, the stop surfaces 169A and 169B are substantially parallel to each other.
  • a closure surface 170 extends transversely of the stop block 166 in substantially perpendicular relation to the stop surfaces 169 and in substantially parallel rela­tion to the jamb surfaces 168 to define the uppermost surface of the sill plate 140C.
  • the stop block 166 thus extends upwardly from the backing 165 to engage the structural components along the walls of the building structure 10. Wind, or other lateral, loading applied against any wall erected on a sill plate 140C will be resisted not only by the reinforcing rods received interiorly of those primary coupler members 30A-30D which are filled with concrete, as heretofore discussed, but also by the interaction between the substantially vertically extend­ing stop block 166 and the structural components from which the wall is formed. As such, the configuration of the sill plate 140C can serve as an interim anchor, if some means is provided to secure the sill plate 140C to the supporting base 130A during erection of the building structure 10.
  • a Ram Set fastener 171 constitutes one means by which to secure a sill plate 140C to a supporting base 130A. Specifically, the fastener 171 attaches that portion of the backing 165 extending laterally of the stop block 166 to the supporting base 130A. This approach permits the sill plate 140C to be positioned, and secured, after the concrete forming the supporting base 130A has cured.
  • FIG. 27 discloses an alternative form of sill plate 140C′.
  • Sill plate 140C′ is virtually identical with sill plate 140C, except that sill plate 140C′ incor­porates a built-in, mechanical interconnect 172 which extends downwardly from the backing 165.
  • the built-in interconnect 172 may comprise a leg 173 that is formed integrally with, and which extends downwardly from, the backing 165 to terminate in a bulbous foot portion 174.
  • Such an alternative construction for securing the sill plate 140C′ to the supporting base 130A would require that the sill plate 140C′ be set into the concrete of the supporting base 130A before the concrete hardens. Embedding the interconnect 172 into the concrete forming the supporting base 130A would allow the sill plate 140C′ to provide the interim anchor desired during erection of the building structure 10.
  • panel member 35J which engage the sill plate 140C (or, for that matter, sill plate 140C′) should be recessed, as at 175, to conform with the cross sectional profile of the sill plate 140C or 140C′.
  • the end edges 176A and 176B of the respective wall skins 38 and 39 on the panel member 35 may rest directly on the supporting base 130A, but the transverse elements of the panel member 35, such as the closure walls, not depicted in that figure, and the ribs 40, as depicted, are recessed in a stepped fashion to present end edges 177A and 177B which engage the jamb surfaces 168A and 168B, respectively, on the sill plate 140C or 140C′ and an end edge 178 which engages the closure surface 170 on the sill plate 140C or 140C′.
  • the ends of the other coupler members 30 are similarly recessed to engage the sill plate 140C or 140C′, and this arrangement works quite well to effect the desired interim anchor between the wall 20 -- or any other exterior, or interior, walls -- and the supporting base 130A until such time as the permanent anchor therebetween becomes fully operational.
  • FIG. 28 An exemplary representation of the use of a recess 175 at both ends of each structural component is further depicted in FIG. 28.
  • a panel member 35 is operatively engaged by one form of a primary coupler member-­ i.e. , 30A -- as well as a secondary coupler member 30E, and both ends of all three structural components are provided with a recess 175. From that represen­tative depiction it should now be apparent that any, or all, of the structural components employed in a building structure 10 embodying the concepts of the present invention can be similarly recessed.
  • the primary coupler members 30A-30D At those locations along the locus of points defining the exterior walls where the primary coupler members 30A-30D must be filled with concrete in order to effect a structural tie between the coupler members 30A-30D and the support­ing base 130A, it will be highly desirable that the primary coupler members 30A­30D fully engage the supporting base 130A itself rather than the sill plate 140C or 140C′ in order not only to assure that the desired tie is effected between the concrete interiorly of the primary coupler members 30A-30D and the reinforcing rod 136 extending upwardly from the supporting base 130A at those locations but also to assure that the columnar load supported by at least those primary coupler members 30A-30D which are filled with concrete 142 is transferred directly to the supporting base 130A without the intervention of any component that might not be designed to support the columnar load to be carried by a concrete filled, primary coupler members 30A-30D.
  • the substantially vertical disposition of the stop block 166 relative to the horizontally disposed backing 165 also serves as an effective means by which to preclude the passage of water beneath any wall erected thereon. Obviously, therefore, if the sill plate 140C or 140C′ is employed along the full perimeter of the building 10, except at those locations where a primary coupler member 30A­30D is to be filled with concrete, the sill plate 140C or 140C′ will fully achieve its objectives.
  • the walls can either be directly assembled in their final, vertical disposition, or the walls can be assembled at ground level and then raised into their final, vertical position. Either approach is acceptable, but there will likely be those who prefer one method over the other.
  • the laborers may begin to erect wall 22 by positioning two sequential panel members 35A and 35B in linear juxtaposition along the selected sill plate 140 which defines the locus of points at which the wall 22 is to be erected on the supporting base 130.
  • the following description shall begin with the erection of wall 22 solely by way of example. Those who understand the invention could, as easily, start with virtually any other wall.
  • the laborer on the scaffolding, or the like may take a secondary coupler member 30E and slide it vertically between the linearly juxtaposed panel members 35A and 35B such that, as depicted in FIG. 16, the connecting flanges 70A on the secondary coupler member 30E operatively engage the tongue 45 on panel 35A and the connecting flanges 70B operatively engage the tongue 46 on panel member 35B.
  • the secondary coupler member 30E When the flanges 75A-75D are so engaged with the locking grooves 51, 52, 56 and 58, respectively, on the linearly juxtaposed panel members 35A and 35B, the secondary coupler member 30E will relatively easily slide downwardly between the panel members 35A and 35B until the lower end of the secondary coupler member 30E properly engages the sill plate 140. At that time the panel member 35A and 35B are fully tied to the coupler member 30E, and thus to each other.
  • FIG. 16 will also reveal the functional purpose of having the tongues 45 and 46 of lesser transverse thickness than the thickness of the body portion 36 of the panel members 35 from which the tongues are presented.
  • the laborers may position a third, sequential panel member 35C in linear alignment with the now tied panel members 35A and 35B.
  • the third panel member 35C will be modestly spaced, though aligned, with panel member 35B, as best represented in FIG. 15.
  • the aligned, but modestly spaced, disposition of the panel members 35B and 35C permits the laborer on the scaffolding, or the like, to take a primary coupler member 30A and slide it vertically between the panel members 35B and 35C such that the connecting flanges 70A on the primary coupler member 30A engage the tongue 45 on panel member 35B and the connecting flanges 70B on the primary coupler member 30A engage the tongue 46 on the panel member 35C.
  • engagement of the connecting flanges 70A on the primary coupler member 30A with the tongue 45 on the panel member 35B requires that the pawls 75A and 75B on the connecting flanges 70A are slidably received within the locking grooves 51 and 52, respec­tively, presented from the tongue 45 of panel member 35B.
  • engagement of the connecting flanges 70B on the primary coupler member 30A with the tongue 46 on panel member 35C requires that the pawls 75C and 75D on the connecting flanges 70B are slidably received within the locking grooves 56 and 58, respectively, presented from the tongue 46 of panel member 35C.
  • the primary coupler member 30A When the flanges 75A-75D are so engaged with the locking grooves 51, 52, 56 and 58, respectively, on the aligned, but moderately spaced, panel members 35B and 35C, the primary coupler member 30A will relatively easily slide downwardly between the panel members 35B and 35C until the lower end of the primary coupler mem­ber 30A properly engages the sill plate 140. At that time the panel member 35B and 35C are fully tied to the coupler member 30A, and thus to each other.
  • the panel members employed to erect the walls 20 and 21 should all be of preferably the same height. However, it should be appreciated that when erecting the end wall 22, as described above, as well as the common wall 23, the successive panel members 35 must be of progressively increasing height, and the upper ends should be inclined to conform to the pitch of each slope 24A and 24B of the roof 24 as the slopes 24A and 24B converge upwardly toward the ridge 269.
  • the progressive increase in the height of the panel members 35 forming the end wall 22, for example, should be apparent from viewing FIGS. 25 and 26.
  • each of the members heretofore assembled should be configured, as necessary, to engage the selected sill plate 140. It should also be understood that the use of a reinforcing rod would not likely be required to tie the structural components heretofore assembled to the supporting base 130. However, it is likely that a reinforcing rod would likely be required at the intersection of walls 20 and 22, and for that reason erection of the panel member 35D in wall 20 will now be described.
  • the laborers would position the panel member 35D perpendicularly with respect to the previously erected panel members 35A-35C and coincident with the selected sill plate 140 which defines that locus of points along which the wall 20 is to be erected on the supporting base 130.
  • the laborer on the scaffolding, or the like may take a primary coupler member 30B and slide it vertically between the perpendicularly oriented panel members 35A and 35D such that the connecting flanges 70A on the coupler member 30B engage the tongue 46 on panel 35A and the connecting flanges 70C engage the tongue 45 on panel member 35D.
  • a primary coupler member employed at a corner of the building structure 10 should be tied, in turn, to the supporting base 130 upon which the building structure 10 is being erected. As such, when the coupler member 30B is operatively insertable between the perpendicularly oriented panel members 35A and 35D it will also slide longitudinally over the vertically disposed reinforcing rod 136 located at that corner of the building structure 10.
  • a primary coupler member 30A To that edge of the panel member 35E not tied to the secondary coupler member 30E one may secure a primary coupler member 30A.
  • This coupler member 30A would serve as a portion of the structural window framing "stud" on the left side of the opening 180 (as viewed in FIG. 1) within which the composite window 19A would be located.
  • Another coupler member 30A could also serve as the structural window framing stud on the opposite, or right, side of the opening 180, and that coupler member 30A could be tied -- in the manner heretofore described in detail relative to the tying of panel member 35C to the primary coupler member 30A -- to panel member 35F.
  • a jamb member 90 would be supported from the primary coupler mem­bers 30A defining each side of the opening 180.
  • the arrangement by which a jamb member 90 is supported from a primary couple member 30 is, perhaps, best represented in FIG. 17.
  • the connecting flanges 70B on the primary coupler member 30A engage the tongue 46 on the jamb member 90. That is, the respective locking pawls 75C and 75D presented from the extension arms 71C and 71D of the connecting flanges 70B are slidably received within the respective locking grooves 56 and 58 in the tongue 46 of the jamb member 90.
  • the window 19A is a composite window. That is, the window 19A may be comprised of a series of four, vertically stacked window units 181A- 181D.
  • FIG. 17 depicts the lateral relationship of the window unit 181B relative to the jamb member 90, and, as shown, one mounting arm 182 of a hinge 183 may be secured by conventional fastening means such as adhesive, screws or rivets (not shown) to the casing surface 92 on the body portion 91 of the jamb member 90, and the second mounting arm 184 of the hinge 183 may be secured to the stile 185 formed by a length of the closure frame 100.
  • An ear 186 extends outwardly from the mounting arm 182 to lie in adjacent juxtaposition to an ear 188 which extends outwardly from the mounting arm 184.
  • a hinge pin 189 extends between, and operatively connects, the two ears 186 and 188 to permit relative movement of the mounting arms 182 and 184 about the axis defined by the hinge pins 189.
  • a comparable hinge arrangement may be provided on both sides of each window unit 181A- 181D in order to permit each window unit to swing relative to the primary coupler members 30A, and the associated jamb members 90, from which the window units 181 are supported.
  • an appropriate sealing strip such as the weatherstripping 190, can be interposed between the stop surface 96A on the jamb member 90 and the stile 185 of the window unit 181B.
  • a stop block is presented from the supporting base 130A.
  • One means to present a stop block such as 95, would be to employ a jamb mem­ber 90, as depicted in FIG. 18.
  • Another means for providing a stop block 166 at the desired location would be to employ a sill plate 140C, as shown in FIG. 27.
  • the bottom rail 191 (also formed by a length of the closure frame 100) of the window unit 181A engages the stop surface 169A on the stop block 166, and an appropriate sealing strip 190 may be interposed therebetween.
  • the uppermost boundary for the inside opening 114 of the window unit 181A constitutes an upper, meeting rail 192 (also formed by a length of the closure frame 100) which is disposed in parallel relation to the bottom rail 191.
  • the lateral ends of the horizontally disposed bottom rail 191 and the upper, meeting rail 192 are joined, as in the manner depicted in FIG. 10, to vertically disposed, left and right stiles 185.
  • a blind stop 193 is secured to the upper, meeting rail 192 and extends vertically upwardly therefrom.
  • the blind stop 193 which may comprise a suitable length of a structural body that may be hollow, and of rectilinear cross section, such that it is generally similar to the glazing bead 110, except that it has a greater dimension in at least one direction transversely of its length -- is secured interiorly of the recess 101 presented by the closure frame 100 from which the upper, meeting rail 192 is formed.
  • the blind stop 193 may be secured, as by a plurality of fasteners such as the screws 197, to the wall 194 presented from the length of closure frame 100 forming the upper, meeting rail 192, and if a sealing strip 190 is to be employed between the blind stop 193 on window unit 181A and the window unit 181B, as hereinafter described, it may be desirable to position a shim 195 between the blind stop 193 and the wall 194 on the upper, meeting rail 192, as shown.
  • the lowermost member of the next, upwardly successive window unit 181B is a bottom, meeting rail 196 which may also be formed from a length of the closure frame 100.
  • the bottom, meeting rail 196 in window unit 181B is oriented in exactly the same disposition as the bottom rail 191 in window unit 181A, and even though the upper, meeting rail 192 of window unit 181A has an identical cross section to the bottom, meeting rail 196 of window unit 181B, they are disposed in mirrored relation when incorporated on successively upwardly stacked window units 181A and 181B.
  • the blind stop 193 presented from, and secured to, the upper meeting rail 192 of window unit 181A is engaged by the wall 194 of the recess 101 in the closure frame 100 from which the bottom, meeting rail 196 of window unit 181B is formed.
  • a sealing strip 190 is to be employed between the window units 181A and 181B, it may well be interposed between the blind stop 193 on window unit 181A and the wall 194 in the bottom, meeting rail 196 of window unit 181B.
  • window unit 181A In order to be able to open the window unit 181A without interference between the blind stop 193 on the upper, meeting rail 192 of window unit 181A and the bottom, meeting rail 196 of window unit 181B it is necessary that the window unit 181A pivot about an axis, such as the horizontal axis designated by the numeral 198, which allows the uppermost, outer corner 199 on the blind stop 193 to swing inwardly of the structure 10 and away from the bottom, meeting rail 196 on the window unit 181B.
  • an axis such as the horizontal axis designated by the numeral 198
  • the foregoing arrangement may be repeated successively upwardly until the desired number of window units, such as the four 181A-181D depicted in FIG. 1, are stacked in the window opening 180 between the two, vertically disposed, primary coupler members 30A which delineate the sides of the window opening 180.
  • the uppermost window unit 181D does not utilize a blind stop 193.
  • the upper extremity of the window opening 180 may well be delineated by a jamb member 90 that is supported from a wall cap assembly 200, the details of which will be hereinafter more fully described.
  • the wall 194 on the length of closure frame 100 which forms the upper, meeting rail 201 on the window unit 181D engages the stop surface 96A on the stop block 95 presented from the jamb member 90, and a sealing strip 190 may be interposed therebetween.
  • the horizontally disposed, pivotal axis 202 about which the window unit 181D swings be located such that the uppermost, interior corner 203 on the recess 101 in the closure frame 100 which forms the upper, meeting rail 210 swing down­wardly and outwardly away from the stop block 95 on jamb member 90.
  • the windows 19B-19E can each be assembled in the fashion of window 19A to include one or more window units 181.
  • one or both of the primary coupler members 30A forming the sides of the window opening 180 may be designated to encase a reinforcing rod 136 encapsulated in concrete 142, as is also depicted in FIG. 17.
  • the lateral edge of the panel member 35F that is opposite to the lateral edge tied to the primary coupler member 30A which forms the right side of the window opening 180 (as viewed in FIG. 1) may be tied to a primary coupler member 30C in order to effect the requisite structural tie between the interior wall 26 and the exterior wall 20 which is to be intersected by the interior wall 26 at that location.
  • the laborer will position a panel member 35G in linear alignment with the previously erected panel members 35D, 35E and 35F, as well as the window 19A, which cumulatively com­prise the exterior wall 20 to that location.
  • the panel member 35G will be modestly spaced, though aligned, with panel member 35F in the same manner as heretofore described in conjunction with the tying of panel member 35B and 35C.
  • the laborer will position a vertically disposed panel member 35H (FIG.
  • the sill plate 140C is also highly suitable for use in designating the locus of points upon which each interior wall will be erected, and a length of the sill plate 140C may also be disposed to extend perpendicularly inwardly from the exterior wall 20 not only to define the location of the interior wall 26 but also to facilitate the physical positioning of the panel member 35H during erection of the building structure 10.
  • the laborer on the scaffolding, or the like may slide the primary coupler member 30C verti­cally between the three converging panel members 35F-35H such that, simul­taneously: the connecting flanges 70A on the primary coupler member 30C will engage the tongue 46 on panel member 35F; the connecting flanges 70B will engage the tongue 45 on panel member 35G; and, the connecting flanges 70C will engage the tongue 45 on panel member 35H.
  • the erection of the composite windows 19C and 19D in alignment with the previously erected panel members 35D-35G may be accomplished in the same general manner as the erection of the composite window 19A, and thereafter the continued erection of the aligned panel members 35I and 35J would bring the laborers to door 16.
  • the door 16 may be hung from a coupler member 30D.
  • the use of a coupler member 30D would permit a jamb member 90 to be presented on one side for mounting the door 16 and a second jamb member 90 to be presented on the opposite side of the coupler member 30D for mounting the door 16A in living unit 12.
  • a coupler member 30D would effect the desired structural tie between the exterior wall 20 and the common wall 23 by engaging the first panel member 35K in the common wall 23.
  • a coupler member 30D would permit the erection of a panel member 35L that would extend outwardly of the building structure 10 in a direction opposite to the common wall 23 in order to constitute a privacy barrier between the doors 16 and 16A which provide ingress to, and egress from, the adjacent living units 11 and 12.
  • coupler member 30D will also be tied to the supporting base 130, and that, of course, is accomplished by having properly anchored a reinforcing rod 136 within the supporting base 130 as the base was poured so that after the coupler member 30D is positioned the concrete 142 poured into the hollow body portion 61 of the coupler member 30D will encapsulate the reinforc­ing rod, as desired.
  • the doors 16, 16A, 18 and 31 may be fabricated in a manner similar to that employed to fabricate the window units 181. However, as depicted in FIG. 18, it is quite likely that the door 16 will preferably be swung inwardly of the living unit 11 rather than outwardly, as is the fashion generally preferred for window units 181.
  • a stop block is presented from the supporting base 130.
  • a stop block such as 166
  • a sill plate 140C secured to a supporting base 130A such as represented in FIGS. 21 and 27.
  • a stop block 95 by utilizing a jamb member 90 that is, for example, received in the sill plate 140B presented from the supporting base 130B, as depicted in FIG. 18.
  • the bottom rail 205 (formed by a length of the closure frame 100) of the door 16 engages the stop surface 96B on the stop block 95, and an appro­priate sealing strip 190 may be interposed therebetween.
  • the top rail 206 (also formed by a length of the closure frame 100) is disposed in vertically space, parallel relation to the bottom rail 205.
  • the lateral ends of the horizontally disposed bottom and top rails 205 and 206, respectively, are joined, as in the manner depicted in FIG. 10, to the vertically disposed left, lock stile 208 and right, hinge stile 209 (FIG. 1).
  • the central insert 113 for the door 16 is posi­tioned within the continuous recess 102 presented by the lengths of the closure frame 100 from which the rails 205 and 206 as well as the stiles 208 and 209 are formed.
  • the central insert 113 for the door 16 is secured within that recess 102 by appropriate lengths of the glazing bead 110 in the same manner as the glass inserts 113 are secured within the window units 181.
  • a sealing strip 190 may be interposed between the wall 207 on the top rail 206 and the stop surface 96B.
  • the stiles 208 and 209 would similarly engage the stop surfaces 95B presented from the jamb members 90 tied to the coupler members 30 located at either side of the door l6.
  • the tie between a jamb member 90 and a vertically oriented coupler member 30A is well depicted in FIG. 17, and explained in relation to the use of coupler members 30A at each lateral side of the windows 19. As such, one may refer to FIG. 17, if desired, to refresh ones recollection as to how that tie is effected, but it would appear superfluous to reiterate the complete explanation at this time. It should also be appreciated that the tie between the jamb member 90 and the coupler member 30D is similarly effected.
  • the multitudinous, hollow cavities 211 which exist between the wall skins 38 and 39 and the plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs 40 may be sufficient in and of themselves.
  • the cavities 211 can be conveniently filled after the walls have been erected and prior to the time that the roof 24 is raised.
  • a foamed plastic or even a suitable cementitious material such as an aerated concrete or a concrete utilizing an aggregate having a cellular structure such as a man-made, foamed plastic or a material found in nature, such a pumice.
  • the wall cap assemblies 200 should accomplish several objectives. First and foremost they should provide at least a support upon which the roof 24 can rest. Second, they should allow for some means by which to effect a structural tie between the roof and the walls (if not to the supporting base itself), as is generally required by the building codes in those jurisdictions subject to heavy winds. Finally, a preferred wall cap assembly should effect some means by which to assure the alignment of the structural components forming the walls -- particularly along those portions of the walls where lateral stability would not be inherent between the adjacent structural components.
  • FIG. 19 the cross sectional configuration of a typical wall cap assembly 200A is depicted as it passes across the top of one of those primary coupler members 30A selected to be tied to the supporting base 130.
  • the reinforcing rod 136 extending upwardly from the supporting base 130 might be of sufficient length to extend the full vertical extent of the coupler member 30A, and beyond, it is much more likely that the head 213 and a considerable length of the shank 214 of a bolt 215 would be buried within the concrete 142 encased by the body portion 61 of the primary coupler member 30A, as depicted.
  • the wall cap assembly 200A may comprise a metallic channel 216 the web portion 218 of which transversely spans the wall 20. Because the surfaces of all wall skins on all the panel members 35 and the exterior faces 62-65 of all the various coupler members 30 are coplanar when they are incorporated in a wall, either exterior or interior, by making the transverse span of the web portion 218 equal the transverse span between the opposite, exterior faces 63 and 65 on the coupler member 30A depicted in FIG. 19 the containing flanges 219 and 220 extending downwardly from the lateral edges of the web 218 in channel 216 will frictionally engage the wall skins on the panel members 35 as well as the exterior faces 63 and 65 on the coupler members 30. Installing a channel 216 to embrace the top of a wall along its longitudinal extent thus serves to effect the desired, lateral stabilization to the wall.
  • the wall cap assembly 200A also incorporates a spacer block 221 which rests upon, and extends the longitudinal length of, the web portion 218 in the channel 216.
  • the bolt 215 which extends upwardly from the concrete 142 in the body portion 61 of the coupler portion 30A extends through a bore 222 in the web portion 218 of the channel 216 and a bore 223 in the spacer block 221 which registers with the bore 222.
  • the bore 223 terminates in a counterbore 224 that may be of sufficient depth, and diameter, to receive a washer 225 and a nut 226 by which to secure the wall cap assembly 200A to at least selected coupler mem­bers 30. As is also depicted in FIG.
  • the roof 24 may be secured to the spacer block 221, as by a suitable adhesive 228.
  • a suitable adhesive 228 there may be a need to retain the roof 24 in proper position until such time as the adhesive "sets.”
  • a temporary fastener such as a small nail, or screw, 229 through the spacer block 221 and into the wall skin 38 or 39 of the panel members 35 used to form the roof 24, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
  • the wall cap assembly 200B which is depicted in FIG. 20, may, like the vast majority of the previously described structural components, comprise an extruded thermoplastic resin which may well be fiber reinforced.
  • the wall cap assembly also includes a channel portion 230 the web portion 231 of which trans­versely spans the wall 20.
  • the containing flanges 232 and 229 extending downwardly from the lateral edges of the web portion 233 will frictionally engage not only the wall skins 38 and 39 on the panel members 35 but also the exterior faces on the coupler members 30 employed to tie the panel members to each other.
  • Installing a wall cap assembly 200B such that the containing flanges 232 and 233 embrace the top of a wall along its longitudinal extent thus serves to effect the desired, lateral stabilization to the wall.
  • the wall cap assembly 200B also incorporates a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally displaced, spacer arms 234 and 235 which extend upwardly from the lateral edges of the web portion 231 in diametrically opposite directions than the containing flanges 232 and 233. Each spacer arm 234 and 235 terminates, respectively, in a connector flange 236 and 238. As is also depicted in FIG. 19 the roof 24 may be secured to the connector flanges 236 and 238, as by a suitable adhesive 239.
  • FIG. 20 represents that span of the wall which lies between the longitudinally spaced coupler members 30 so that the means for effecting a structural tie between the roof 24 and the coupler members 30 is not actually depicted in FIG. 20, it should be appreciated that a bolt 215 such as depicted in conjunction with FIGS. 19 and/or 22 could well be employed at the appropriate locations.
  • the wall cap assembly 200C may, like the vast majority of the previously described structural components, also comprise an extruded thermoplastic resin which may well be fiber reinforced.
  • the wall cap assembly 200C also includes a channel portion 245 the web portion 246 of which transversely spans the wall 20. As previously explained in conjunction with FIG.
  • the transverse span between the containing flanges 248 and 249 equal not only to the transverse span between the opposite, wall skins 38 and 39 on the panel members 35 but also the transverse span between the opposite faces 63 and 65 (or 62 and 64) on the coupler members 30, the containing flanges 248 and 249 will frictionally engage not only the wall skins 38 and 39 on the panel members 35 but also the exterior faces on the coupler members 30 employed to tie the panel members to each other.
  • Installing a wall cap assembly 200C such that the containing flanges 248 and 249 embrace the top of a wall along its longitudinal extent thus serves to effect the desired, lateral stabilization to the wall.
  • the wall cap assembly 200C also incorporates a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally displaced, spacer blocks 250 and 251 which are connected to the web portion 246 by offset walls 252 and 253 that extend upwardly from the web portion 246 and then in laterally opposite directions to intersect the spacer blocks 250 and 251.
  • the cross section defined by the web portion 246, the offset walls 252 and 253 as well as the containing flanges 248 and 249 outline engaging cavities 255A and 255B, the profile of which exactly duplicates the profile of the connecting flanges 70 presented from each of the various coupler members 30 for a purpose more fully hereinafter explained.
  • each spacer block 250 and 251 joins corresponding connector flanges 256 and 258, respectively.
  • the connector flanges 256 and 258 are angularly disposed such that the portions which extend angularly upwardly converge, and are preferably joined, at an apex 259.
  • the portions of the connector flanges 256 and 258 which extend angularly downwardly past the respective spacer blocks 250 and 251 from which they are presented diverge such that each joins with one, vertically oriented, leg of an angle brace 260 or 261, respectively.
  • the other leg of each angle brace 260 and 261 extends horizontally and joins with the containing flanges 248 or 249 at their juncture with the respective spacer blocks 250 or 251.
  • the roof 24 may be secured to the connector flanges 256 and 258, as by a suitable adhesive 262.
  • a suitable adhesive 262 there may be a need to retain the components from which the roof 24 is assembled in proper position until such time as the adhesive "sets.”
  • a temporary fastener such as a small nail, or screw, 263 which extends through the connector flange 256 and into the downwardly directed wall skin 38 of the panel members 35 used to form the roof 24, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
  • Access to the temporary fastener may be facilitated by punching an access bore 264 through the angle brace 260 at spaced intervals along the length of the wall cap assembly 200C, as is also depicted in FIG. 22.
  • the wall cap assembly 200C may also be secured to the coupler member 30A, as by a bolt 215, the head 213 and a portion of the shaft 214 of which are embedded in the concrete 142 which fills the coupler member 30A.
  • the shaft 214 extends upwardly out of the concrete 142 to penetrate: a bore 265 in the web portion 246; a bore 266 in the apex 259 of the wall cap assembly 200C; as well as, a bore 267 in the wall skin 38 of the panel member 35 of the roof 24.
  • a beveled washer 268 is received over the shaft 214, and a nut 226 serves to tie the cap assembly 200C as ell as the roof 24 to the coupler member 30A, and thus the supporting base 130A, in a manner which should satisfy the most exacting building codes.
  • the laborers may erect the structural supporting arrangement desired at the ridge 269, and any intermediate purlins (hereinafter described) deemed necessary, before assembling the roof 24.
  • the wall cap assembly 200C is particularly suited to serve as the member upon which the roof 24 will rest at the ridge 269 of the roof 24.
  • the description of the arrangement employed at the ridge 269 may conveniently begin at the intersection of the interior wall 25 with the exterior, end wall 22.
  • the wall 25 extend upward to whatever extent is required to close any gap between the top of the wall 25 and whatever roof supporting arrangement is employed.
  • One arrangement which would effect the desired result would be to mount a wall cap assembly 200C upon the upper extremity of the panel members 35 forming the wall 25.
  • the containing flanges 248 and 249 on the wall cap assembly 200C would engage the opposed wall skins 38 and 39 of the panel member 35 in the same fashion as the containing flanges 248 and 249 on the wall cap assembly 200C engage the exterior faces 63 and 65 of the coupler member 30A, as depicted in, and as described in conjunction with, FIG. 22.
  • a joist hanger 270 may be secured from the top of the coupler member 30C.
  • the anchor flange 271 on the joist hanger 270 extends horizontally across the top of the coupler member 30C, and the shaft 214 of bolt 215 extends upwardly through the bore 272 in the anchor flange 271 to receive a nut 226 (not shown in FIG. 24, but depicted in FIG.
  • a stirrup 273 extends downwardly from the anchor flange 271 for a distance substantially equal to at least the lateral dimension of a panel member 35 less the lateral dimension of the tongue 45. This configuration would allow the tongue 45 to extend upwardly above the level of the anchor flange 271 on the joist hanger 270. As shown, the upper surface of the anchor flange 271 should preferably lie in the same plane as the positioning shoulders 41A and 41B. With the panel member 35 so disposed, the tongue 46 rests upon the horizontal supporting foot 274 of the joist hanger 270.
  • the tongue 46 may, of course, allow the tongue 46 to constitute the exposed underside of the beam formed by the panel member 35 which spans across the combined eating and living room area 15. It is, however, also possible that one would prefer to provide a geometrically cleaner appearance to the underside of the beam spanning the combined eating and living room area 15, and in that situation one could support a terminating coupler member 275 from the tongue 46.
  • the terminating member 275 can be fabricated in the same manner as the primary coupler member 30A, except that the connecting flanges 70B would be eliminated from the terminating member 275. As such, the connector flanges 70A on the terminating member 275 would operatively engage the tongue 46 on the panel member 35 supported in the stirrup 273. That is, the locking pawls 75A and 75B on the connecting flanges 70A would be received within the locking grooves 56 and 58, respectively, of the tongue 46.
  • the hollow body portion 61 of terminating member 275 would serve as an excellent race within which to receive the electrical wiring, and the unobstructed, rectilinear, exterior faces 63, 64 and 65 on the body portion 61 would provide a clean finish to the lower edge portion of the composite beam formed from the panel member 35.
  • the terminating coupler member 275 rest directly upon the supporting foot 274 of the stirrup 273 in the joist hanger 270. That choice would require only that the depth of the stirrup 273 be extended to include the depth of the body portion 61 of the terminating coupler member 275.
  • the panel member 35 spans across the combined eating and living room area 15 to be received, in the manner desired, in the stirrup 273 of a second joist hanger 270 supported from the coupler member 30 in the common wall 23.
  • the configuration of the panel member 35 is such that it affords not only excellent bending strength but also rather good columnar strength along its longitudinal axis. However, it must be understood that the configuration of the panel member 35 affords rather poor strength against relatively high compressive loading (on the order of what one might expect to encounter from any substantial roof loading) in a direction laterally of the panel member 35 itself. As a result, it is considered highly desirable, if not absolutely necessary, that at least the end openings of the cavities 211, which extend longitudinally within the panel member 35, be plugged to impart the additional strength required to prevent the longi­tudinal ends of the panel member 35 -- which rests upon the coupler members 30 serving as the beam supports -- from buckling when employed as a simple beam.
  • the panel member 35 must be reinforced to accept the stresses imparted to the ends thereof as a result of the distribution of forces required to effect a transfer of the load carried by the panel member 35 acting as a beam (across the span of the combined eating and living room area 15) into the columnar support provided by the coupler members 30 from which the joist hangers 270 are carried.
  • the necessary plugging can be effected by the simple wooden plugs 278 inserted within the ends of the cavities 211, as depicted in FIG.
  • the connecting flanges 70A on a secondary coupler member 30E can, as best seen from FIG. 23, operatively engage the tongue 45 at the uppermost edge of the panel member 35.
  • operative engagement of the connecting flanges 70A with the tongue 45 requires that the locking pawls 75A and 75B on the connecting flanges 70A are received within the locking grooves 51 and 52, respec­tively, of the tongue 45 on the panel member 35.
  • the connecting flanges 70B on the secondary coupler member 30E are operatively received within the engaging cavities 255 in the wall cap assembly 200C to effect a structural tie therebetween.
  • the cross sectional profile of the extension arm 71C, including the locking pawl 75C presented therefrom is sufficiently congruent with the cross sectional profile of the engaging cavity 255A
  • the cross sectional profile of the extension arm 71D, including the cross sectional profile of the locking pawl 75D presented therefrom is sufficiently congruent with the cross sectional profile of the engag­ing cavity 255B, that the wall cap assembly 200C can easily slide relative to the secondary coupler member 30E, as necessary to effect an operative engagement therebetween.
  • the roof 24 can be sufficiently supported between the ridge 269 and the parallel exterior walls 20 and 21. In those situations the roof may be assembled as soon as the roof supporting arrangement is assembled at the ridge 269. With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 22 and 23, a pair of panel members 35 are rested upon the connector flange 256 presented upon the wall cap assembly 200C secured to the top of the exterior wall 20. The pair of panel members 35 are then manipulated until they are disposed, as desired, to span between that wall cap assembly 200C on an exterior wall and a second wall cap assembly 200C located at the ridge 269 of the roof 24.
  • the roof 24 is thus assembled by sequentially positioning successive panel members 35 along the longitudinal extent of the two sloping sides 24A and 24B of the roof 24 and by tying the successive panel mem­bers to each other with the appropriate coupler members 30 as well as by tying the panel members 35 to the wall cap assemblies 200 in the manner heretofore described in conjunction with the description of the several variations for the wall cap assemblies 200 disclosed.
  • the ridge cap member 280 may be installed.
  • the ridge cap member 280 has a pair of mounting tabs 281A and 28lB which engage the wall skins 39 of the panel members 35 forming the opposed slopes 24A and 24B, respectively of the roof 24, and they may be secured thereto by fastener means such as screws, rivets or adhesive 282.
  • the cross sectional profile of the ridge cap member 280 may be vir­tually any shape desired, but the miniature parroting of the roof line depicted is quite functional. That is, the peaked upper walls 283A and 283B shed water, and the horizontally disposed laterally extending walls 284A and 284B may be pierced, as desired, with a plurality of apertures 285 which accommodate any desired ventilation.
  • the coupler members 30 selected to support at least the opposite ends of the purlin 290 should preferably be tied to the supporting base 130 in a manner hereinbefore described.
  • the hollow interior of the body portion 6l for that coupler member 30 should be filled with concrete 142 up to a level such that the support flange 291 on purlin 290 can rest upon the concrete 142 within the coupler member 30.
  • Additional bearing support can also be provided by employing a coupler member 30C in lieu of the coupler member 30A which might normally be employed at the location where a purlin 290 would be placed.
  • a jamb member 90 may, as depicted in FIGS.
  • the purlin 290 extends upwardly beneath the purlin 290 and terminate at preferably the same level as the concrete 142 within the coupler member 30C.
  • the presence of the jamb member 90 increases the L/R ratio of the combination in order to provide the most effective columnar arrangement for supporting the ends of the purlin 290.
  • the support flange 291 will include not only the horizontal portion 293 which rests upon the supporting surface but also a vertically oriented, return portion 294 which contributes to the strength of the support flange 291 to resist bending moments.
  • the purlin 290 also includes a web portion 295 which affords the primary measure of the beam depth.
  • the purlin 290 preferably also presents a connector flange 296 which is angularly disposed to conform to the pitch of the roof sides 24A or 24B, as best depicted in FIG.
  • the wall skins 38 may be preferably secured to the connector flange 296, as by any suitable means such as adhesive 262, and even an interim fastener, such as the screw 298, may be employed to allow the adhesive 262 the required span of time within which to "set.”
  • the present invention not only teaches that a building can be constructed virtually in its entirety from a plurality of standardized, mass produced, structural components by relatively unskilled laborers without specialized tools in a far shorter period of time than a comparable struc­ture can be constructed from prior known components but also that the other objects of the invention can likewise be accomplished.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
  • Rod-Shaped Construction Members (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
EP88120314A 1987-12-11 1988-12-06 Modular building structure and prefabricated components therefor and related methods Withdrawn EP0320745A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13208787A 1987-12-11 1987-12-11
US132087 1987-12-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0320745A1 true EP0320745A1 (en) 1989-06-21

Family

ID=22452404

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88120314A Withdrawn EP0320745A1 (en) 1987-12-11 1988-12-06 Modular building structure and prefabricated components therefor and related methods

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0320745A1 (no)
JP (1) JPH01280140A (no)
KR (1) KR890010378A (no)
AU (1) AU2656588A (no)
BR (1) BR8806543A (no)
FI (1) FI885715A (no)
NO (1) NO885459L (no)
PT (1) PT89200A (no)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1991014055A1 (en) * 1990-03-16 1991-09-19 Archimedes & Pavlos Paraskevaides Limited Buildings and methods of constructing buildings
GB2257446A (en) * 1990-03-16 1993-01-13 Archimedes & Pavlos Paraskevai Buildings and methods of constructing buildings
WO1993024714A1 (en) * 1992-05-29 1993-12-09 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural system and components therefor and method of making same
WO1994018405A1 (en) * 1993-02-08 1994-08-18 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic building components
WO1994018404A1 (en) * 1993-02-08 1994-08-18 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Hollow members connector
WO1994028262A2 (en) * 1993-05-28 1994-12-08 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
AU709600B2 (en) * 1993-05-28 1999-09-02 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
US5953880A (en) * 1994-11-02 1999-09-21 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Fire rated modular building system
US5974751A (en) * 1994-05-27 1999-11-02 De Zen; Vittorio Housing system with structural cored hollow components
WO2000011280A1 (en) * 1998-08-20 2000-03-02 Royal Group Technologies Limited Prefabricated plastic shed and components therefor
CN1052679C (zh) * 1993-09-20 2000-05-24 皇家建筑系统(加拿大)有限公司 细长中空矩形热塑性结构件
WO2000031356A1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2000-06-02 Mitie Plastics Limited Load-bearing structures
GR980100386A (el) * 1998-10-19 2000-06-30 ��������, ������� ��� ������������ ������� �������� .... Συστημα ξηρας δομησης απο προφιλ αλουμινιου
US6189269B1 (en) 1992-05-29 2001-02-20 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic wall forming member with wiring channel
GB2365031A (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-02-13 Lg Mouchel & Partners Ltd Flooring system providing building services
US20120011798A1 (en) * 2010-07-16 2012-01-19 Ernest Rivellino Building system and components therefor
WO2016074049A1 (pt) * 2014-11-12 2016-05-19 Silva Dos Santos Marcelo Disposição construtiva aplicada em bloco pré-moldado.
WO2018197647A1 (en) 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 GRUNDLAND FARACE, Eduardo Alberto Interlocking construction block
CH714202A1 (fr) * 2017-09-29 2019-03-29 Ustinov Igor Système de construction pour un module d'un bâtiment.
WO2020204687A1 (es) * 2019-03-29 2020-10-08 Bautista Alonso Mario Sistema modular de construcciones fijas

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2143288A (en) * 1936-02-24 1939-01-10 Owen M Stolz Fabricated metal building
US3657849A (en) * 1970-05-25 1972-04-25 Chester D Garton Prefabricated house or building
GB2191225A (en) * 1986-06-07 1987-12-09 Portakabin Ltd Levelling means in a component building

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2143288A (en) * 1936-02-24 1939-01-10 Owen M Stolz Fabricated metal building
US3657849A (en) * 1970-05-25 1972-04-25 Chester D Garton Prefabricated house or building
GB2191225A (en) * 1986-06-07 1987-12-09 Portakabin Ltd Levelling means in a component building

Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5359816A (en) * 1990-03-16 1994-11-01 Permahome (Steel Constructions) Ltd. Buildings and methods of constructing buildings
GB2257446A (en) * 1990-03-16 1993-01-13 Archimedes & Pavlos Paraskevai Buildings and methods of constructing buildings
WO1991014055A1 (en) * 1990-03-16 1991-09-19 Archimedes & Pavlos Paraskevaides Limited Buildings and methods of constructing buildings
GB2257446B (en) * 1990-03-16 1994-01-12 Archimedes & Pavlos Paraskevai Buildings and methods of constructing buildings
US5706620A (en) * 1992-05-29 1998-01-13 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural system and components therefor and method of making same
EP0848116A2 (en) * 1992-05-29 1998-06-17 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic wall forming member with wiring channel
US6189269B1 (en) 1992-05-29 2001-02-20 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic wall forming member with wiring channel
WO1993024714A1 (en) * 1992-05-29 1993-12-09 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural system and components therefor and method of making same
EP0848116A3 (en) * 1992-05-29 1998-08-12 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic wall forming member with wiring channel
GB2283257A (en) * 1992-05-29 1995-05-03 Royal Building Systems Thermoplastic structural system and components therefor and method of making same
GB2283257B (en) * 1992-05-29 1995-12-13 Royal Building Systems Thermoplastic structural system and components therefor and method of making same
AU671323B2 (en) * 1992-05-29 1996-08-22 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural system and components therefor and method of making same
WO1994018404A1 (en) * 1993-02-08 1994-08-18 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Hollow members connector
WO1994018405A1 (en) * 1993-02-08 1994-08-18 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic building components
AU680251B2 (en) * 1993-05-28 1997-07-24 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
EP0795654A2 (en) * 1993-05-28 1997-09-17 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
EP0795654A3 (no) * 1993-05-28 1997-10-29 Royal Building Syst Canada
US5729944A (en) * 1993-05-28 1998-03-24 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
WO1994028262A3 (en) * 1993-05-28 1995-02-16 Zen Vittorio De Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
AU709600B2 (en) * 1993-05-28 1999-09-02 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
WO1994028262A2 (en) * 1993-05-28 1994-12-08 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Thermoplastic structural components and structures formed therefrom
CN1052679C (zh) * 1993-09-20 2000-05-24 皇家建筑系统(加拿大)有限公司 细长中空矩形热塑性结构件
US5974751A (en) * 1994-05-27 1999-11-02 De Zen; Vittorio Housing system with structural cored hollow components
US5953880A (en) * 1994-11-02 1999-09-21 Royal Building Systems (Cdn) Limited Fire rated modular building system
WO2000011280A1 (en) * 1998-08-20 2000-03-02 Royal Group Technologies Limited Prefabricated plastic shed and components therefor
US6591558B1 (en) 1998-08-20 2003-07-15 Royal Group Technologies Limited Prefabricated plastic shed and components therefor
US6889475B2 (en) 1998-08-20 2005-05-10 Royal Group Technologies Limited Prefabricated plastic shed with metal beam ridge assembly
GR980100386A (el) * 1998-10-19 2000-06-30 ��������, ������� ��� ������������ ������� �������� .... Συστημα ξηρας δομησης απο προφιλ αλουμινιου
WO2000031356A1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2000-06-02 Mitie Plastics Limited Load-bearing structures
AU747714B2 (en) * 1998-11-26 2002-05-23 Ischebeck Titan Ltd. Load-bearing structures
GB2365031A (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-02-13 Lg Mouchel & Partners Ltd Flooring system providing building services
GB2365031B (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-10-09 Lg Mouchel & Partners Ltd Flooring system
US20120011798A1 (en) * 2010-07-16 2012-01-19 Ernest Rivellino Building system and components therefor
WO2016074049A1 (pt) * 2014-11-12 2016-05-19 Silva Dos Santos Marcelo Disposição construtiva aplicada em bloco pré-moldado.
WO2018197647A1 (en) 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 GRUNDLAND FARACE, Eduardo Alberto Interlocking construction block
CH714202A1 (fr) * 2017-09-29 2019-03-29 Ustinov Igor Système de construction pour un module d'un bâtiment.
WO2019063828A2 (fr) 2017-09-29 2019-04-04 USTINOV, Jihan Systeme de construction pour un module d'un batiment
WO2019063828A3 (fr) * 2017-09-29 2019-06-20 USTINOV, Jihan Systeme de construction pour un module d'un batiment
CN111406139A (zh) * 2017-09-29 2020-07-10 Uhcs资产公司 用于建筑模块的构建系统
US11332921B2 (en) 2017-09-29 2022-05-17 Uhcs Property Sa Construction system for a building module
CN111406139B (zh) * 2017-09-29 2022-07-19 Uhcs资产公司 用于建筑模块的构建系统
WO2020204687A1 (es) * 2019-03-29 2020-10-08 Bautista Alonso Mario Sistema modular de construcciones fijas

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR890010378A (ko) 1989-08-08
AU2656588A (en) 1989-06-15
BR8806543A (pt) 1989-08-22
FI885715A (fi) 1989-06-12
PT89200A (pt) 1989-09-14
JPH01280140A (ja) 1989-11-10
NO885459D0 (no) 1988-12-08
NO885459L (no) 1989-06-12
FI885715A0 (fi) 1988-12-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0320745A1 (en) Modular building structure and prefabricated components therefor and related methods
US4858398A (en) Prefabricated building construction
EP0613512B1 (en) Connector means for roof panels
US9115504B2 (en) System for modular building construction
EP0146593B1 (en) Metal building construction
US20160160515A1 (en) System for modular building construction
US5381635A (en) Construction wall panel and panel structure
DE69232239T2 (de) Gebäudepaneel und gebäude mit einem solchen paneel
US5274975A (en) Wall cap and eave rake
US4019293A (en) Building modules and structure embodying such modules
US6892498B1 (en) Interlocking construction system
EP0038800A1 (de) Offenes skelett-rahmensystem zur errichtung von bauwerken.
US6568134B2 (en) Componentized, three dimensional, self-aligning, self-engineering building system for homes, and modeling blocks therefor
EP0051592B1 (en) Building
EP1080278B1 (de) Gebäude, insbesondere ein niedrigenergie-gebäude
DE4335237A1 (de) Montagesteinsystem aus Kunststoffabfällen
CA1198565A (en) Procedure for raising a building and an arrangement for carrying out the procedure
DE2523286A1 (de) Eigenschalungs- und einbaustruktur- elemente-bausystem
DE9208102U1 (de) Bausatz zum Erstellen eines Gebäudes o.dgl. Bauwerkes
AU611117B2 (en) Modular building systems
DE9315116U1 (de) Bauelemente
OA10653A (en) Prefabricated building panel
DE1658848A1 (de) Gebaeudewand aus geschosshohen ausgegossenen Profilen
NZ544067A (en) A method of building construction
JPS58168745A (ja) 簡易組立式ハウス

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Withdrawal date: 19890712