US3738069A

US3738069A - Modular building construction

Info

Publication number: US3738069A
Application number: US00073326A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kindelan O Navarrette
Original assignee: ANTHROPOS Inc
Current assignee: ANTHROPOS Inc
Priority date: 1970-09-18
Filing date: 1970-09-18
Publication date: 1973-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-12
Also published as: JPS514332B1; NL7112666A; ES395179A1; IL37684A0; DE2146701A1; AU3328271A; FR2106600A1; ZA716086B; CA948370A

Abstract

The building construction includes a stem upstanding substantially the entire height of the building with box-like modules supported along the height of the stem at various building levels. To elevate the individual modules to predetermined building levels, lifting lines extend from a winch adjacent the base of the stem upwardly within the stem and about a pair of pivotal sheaves and a selected pair of fixed sheaves cantilevered outwardly of the stem. The lifting lines extend vertically along and outwardly of selected sides of the stem for connection with cradles carrying the modules, the cradles and modules being transportable to adjacent the base of the stem vertically below their final position in the building. The modules are lifted vertically and, at a specified level, the inner walls of the modules are secured directly to the stem with the end portions of the modules being cantilevered from the stem. At the level next below, modules are disposed such that their end portions are cantilevered from the stem and underlie the cantilevered portions of the superposed modules. The inner walls of the underlying modules are connected directly to the tower and the cantilevered inner end wall portions of the superposed modules are connected to the underlying modules to form a cantilevered support therefor whereby underlying modules are supported both directly from the tower and from the cantilevered support of the superposed modules.

Description

l [75] Inventor:

ite States Patent 1 Navarrette-Kindelan [54] MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Octaviano De J. Navarrette-Kindelan, Santurce, PR.

[52] 11.8. C1 52/73, 52/79, 52/236 [51] Int. Cl E041 I/348, E04b 1/34 [58] Field of Search 52/73, 79, 236;

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,455,075 7/1969 Frey 52/79 3,613,321 10/1971 Rohrer 52/79 3,546,792 12/1970 Sherman. 52/236 2,575,474 11/1951 Shadgen.... 52/236 3,520,098 7/1970 Johnson.... 52/79 D206,869 2/1967 Hoke 52/236 D216,954 3/1970 Jenn 52/79 3,226,727 12/1965 Frey 52/73 3,302,363 2/1967 Frey 52/73 3,541,744 l1/l970 Maxwell 52/73 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain 52/83 Primary ExaminerFrank Abbott Assistant Examiner-Henry E. Raduazo Attorney-LeBlanc 8L Shur 57 ABSTRACT The building construction includes a stern upstanding substantially the entire height of the building with boxlike modules supported along the height of the stem at various building levels. To elevate the individual modules to predetermined building levels, lifting lines extend from a winch adjacent the base of the stem upwardly within the stem and about a pair of pivotal sheaves and a selected pair of fixed sheaves cantilevered outwardly of the stem. The lifting lines extend ver tically along and outwardly of selected sides of the stem for connection with cradles carrying the modules, the cradles and modules being transportable to adjacent the base of the stem vertically below their final position in the building. The modules are lifted vertically and, at a specified level, the inner walls of the modules are secured directly to the stem with the end portions of the modules being cantilevered from the stem. At the level next below, modules are disposed such that their end portions are cantilevered from the stem and underlie the cantilevered portions of the superposed modules. The inner walls of the underlying modules are connected directly to the tower and the cantilevered inner end wall portions of the superposed modules are connected to the underlying modules to form a cantilevered support therefor whereby underlying modules are supported both directly from the tower and from the cantilevered support of the superposed modules.

20 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU 1 2 I975 SHEET 1 [If 3 INVENTOR OCTAVIANO de J. NAVARRETE- KINDELAN ATTORNEYS PAIENIED I 2 SHEET Z (If 3 MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates to multi-level building construction and particularly relates to modular type building construction for business or office buildings, residential buildings such as apartments, institutional buildings, such as schools, hospitals or any other construction requiring multiple levels.

Modular type construction has been proposed and utilized in the past. A number of such modular type building constructions have utilized modules for functional areas only rather than providing modules which serve both as functional units and structural support. That is to say, in certain modular type construction, supporting structure is first erected and the modules are then connected to the support structure, the modules per se not serving as structural supports. There is thus an inherent inefficiency in the utilization of materials. Other types of modular construction do not efficiently utilize the available land area for high rise construction and this oftentimes is a limiting factor in the utilization of a particular type of modular construction as well as in the building design per se. For example, many modular type constructions require auxilliary lifting cranes for elevating and laterally positioning modules 'at successively higher levels in order to form a completed building. The land area required by the lifting cranes and modules for this type of construction is thus extensive and, in some cases, for example, high density urban areas, is simply not available.

The present invention solves the foregoing and other problems associated with prior modular type construction and provides a novel and unique modular building construction having significant advantages thereover. Particularly, the modules hereof are formed to serve as both functional areas, that is space defining elements, and structural elements of the building. To accomplish this, the modules are secured in place at various building levels about a previously erected support stem which, depending on the particular building design, encloses one or more elevator shafts, access stairwells, mechanical fixtures, etc. and may enclose a portion of the functional areas associated with the modules. Each module provides a self-contained functional area and such area can be enlarged by utilizing a portion of the central stem.

The modules also serve as structural elements for supporting other modules and, when integrated with the support stem, reinforce the entire building structure. Specifically, modules are disposed at each building level outwardly of the support stem and direct connections are provided between the inner walls of the modules and the support stem to transfer to the stem a portion of the weight of the modules. The modules at each building level are elongated and box-like in configuration and their opposite end portions at each level extend laterally beyond and are cantilevered from the stem. The modules at the various levels are interleaved transferred to the stem by the direct connection of the modules next below to the stem. Also, the direct connection of the modules to the stem and their direct interconnection with one another structurally reinforce the building against lateral loading. Further, the floor portions of the modules at one level lie in a common plane with the ceiling portions of the modules next below and there is thus provided a horizontal wall about the building at each level which alsostructurally reinforces the building, particularly in torsion.

Moreover, the foregoing construction wherein the modules provide both functional areas and structural support for the building is provided without imposing height limitations inherent in certain knownprior systems. For example, the support stern serves per se as the principal device by which the modules are elevated to the appropriate building levels, and thus auxilliary equipment for example, lifting cranes with their inherent height limitations, are not required. The uniqueness of the construction system is exemplified by the fact that only vertical lifting is required. Horizontal shifting of the modules as would be necessary in many prior modular type constructions is entirely eliminated. To accomplish the foregoing, the upper end of the support stem is provided with pivotable sheaves and pairs of fixed sheaves cantilevered outwardly of the sides of the stem. A lifting winch is provided adjacent the base of the stem and winch lines extend from the winch, upwardly through the stem, about the sheaves and extend downwardly outwardly of the sides of the stem. After the support stem is erected, and then a first module is transported to the construction site and located at the base of the stem directly below its final position in the building structure, the ends of the winch lines are passed through openings preformed in the module and attached to a lifting cradle underlying the module. The module is then elevated to the appropriate level in a single lifting operation. After the module is secured to the building, at that level, the cradle is lowered and disconnected from the lifting lines. The lines are then disposed over another pair of fixed sheaves along another side of the stem whereupon the lifting lines are lowered and connected to another cradle for lifting another module to the appropriate level. By disposing the lifting lines selectively over the fixed sheaves on the appropriate side of the stem, the modules are lifted vertically from the base of the support stem to their final position without requiring horizontal shifting. Hence, large cranes and the like are not necessary.

The foregoing system thus utilizes the modules as both functional areas and structural supports wherein the load of each module is transferred in part directly to the stem by the connection of its inner wall with the stem and, in part, through its suspension from the cantilevered end portions of the superposed modules. Thus, each pair of modules are, in effect, supported directly by the stem at the corresponding building levels. Also, the foregoing described system eliminates the need for external heavy lifting equipment and its attendant requirements, eliminates design restrictions as to total height of structure by the practical reach of external lifting equipment and also minimizes the land area required for construction.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved modular building construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, improved modular building construction wherein modules are arranged about a permanent upstanding structural support stem and are uniquely connected thereto in a manner wherein the modules per se provide cantilevered support for underlying modules.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a modular building construction wherein horizontal movement of the modules in the erection of the building is entirely eliminated and wherein all heavy duty lifting is solely in a vertical direction.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a modular building construction which requires minimum land use about the construction site, and most effectively utilizes labor and materials by maximizing prefabricated type construction and minimizing field construction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel modular building construction which has wide range of flexibility, is adaptable to a broad range of housing types, is adaptable to practically any site size and location, and wherein limitations on the size and weight of the modules per se are those imposed only by the transportability of the modules rather than those of structural, functional or design considerations.

These and other further object and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification, appended claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a completed building constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a module employed with the building construction hereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support stem for the building construction illustrated in FIG. 1 and illustrating the raising of a first module to the upper level of the building;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the building illustrated in FIG. 1 partially completed and illustrated with parts broken out;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view of a particular level of the building construction illustrated in FIG. 1, taken generally about on lines 55 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken generally about on lines 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a connection between the inner side wall of a module and the support stem;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the joint between the modules at next adjacent levels; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another form of building construction hereof.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a completed building, generally indicated at 10 and constructed in accordance with the principals of the present invention and comprised of two basic elements: a support tower or stem generally indicated 12 and a plurality of interleaved preformed modules generally indicated 14. As will be appreciated, the tower or stem 12 forms the permanent support for the entire building 10 and, in the form illustrated, provides a central core about which the modules 14 are located and secured. The tower or stem 12, in this form,

preferably contains the elevator, stairways and conduits for all services and utilities for building 10 and may also, in conjunction with modules 14 provide additional functional areas.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, tower 12 preferably has on each side a pair of vertically extending columns 16 and a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending beams 18 which interconnect the columns 16 on each side, the ends of beams 18 extending outwardly beyond column 16 for connection with the beams 18 on like levels. Stem 12 is preferably formed of concrete and a slip form construction may be utilized. It will be appre ciated that stem 12 can be erected to practically any designed building height and that in the form illustrated, the stem 12 is monolithic and forms a vertical box beam. At the top of stem 12, there is provided a cross beam system generally indicated 20 (of either steel or concrete) which serves as a permanent lifting gantry frame for modules 14 in a manner to be described. Particularly, the cross beam system includes pairs of slabs 22 disposed in vertical planes and which intersect at right angles to one another. A lifting platform 24 is provided at the top of the building in overlying relation to the beam system 20. The beams 22 extend beyond the lateral confines of tower 12 to form a pair of cantilevered lifting gantrys on each side of stem 12. i

As described hereinafter, the modules 14 are lifted vertically from a position adjacent the base of stem 12 to the appropriate building level whereupon the modules are secured to the stem 12. The stem 12 serves as the principal member or device by which the modules are lifted during the process of erecting the building. To accomplish this, a winch, generally indicated 46, is provided adjacent the base of stem 12 and a pair of winch lines 28 extend from winch 46 about a pair of sheaves 30 secured to an interior wall of stem 12 adja cent its base. The lines 28 extend vertically upwardly within stem 12 and are passed about a pair of sheaves 32 secured to the same interior wall at the top of stem 12, sheaves 32 being mounted for pivotal movement about vertical axes. Plural pairs of fixed sheaves 34 are disposed on platform 24 outwardly of the lateral confines of stem 12. Lifting lines 28 thus pass upwardly within stem 12, over pivotable sheaves 32 and over a selected pair of fixed sheaves 34 depending on which side of the building a module is to be lifted. The lifting lines 28 extend about sheaves 34 downwardly through openings 36 formed in platform 24 to depend along the outside of stem 12. To dispose lifting lines 28 along another side of stem 12, the winch 26 is actuated to haul in the lines until the ends of the lines can be removed from a pair of fixed sheaves 34 and disposed about another pair of fixed sheaves 34 while pivoting sheaves 32 such that they face the side of the building where a module is to be raised.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a module 14 in skeletonized form. It will be appreciated that module 14 is ofa size sufficient to accomodate an adult human being standing in an erect position. Moreover, wall panels and other auxilliary furnishings associated with a preformed, prefmished module are normally provided module 14 prior to its installation in building 10 and it will be appreciated that the modules 14 are illustrated as skeletonized for sake of clarity. In the skeletonized form, the module 14 is preferably an elongated box-like unit having four elongated beams two of which beams 40 form the structural members of an outer wall 41 and two of which beams 42 form the structural members of an inner wall 43. The beams 40 and 42 are I interconnected by vertical and horizontally

disposed end beams

44 and 46. The inner wall 43 has a pair of intermediate vertically extending beams 47 which form a portion of the inner wall 43. Each beam 47 has a lower opening 48 and an upper laterally outwardly offset opening 50 for securing module 14 to stem 12 in a manner to be described. Each module has a horizontal wall 52, preferably extending the full length of the module and which forms the floor of the module. Each module has an upper wall 54 which forms a portion of the ceiling for that module and a portion of the floor of a superposed functional area disposed over the module as noted hereinafter. For reasons noted hereinafter, a pair of

openings

51 and 53 are provided in each of

horizontal wall portions

52 and 54 respectively, the superposed pair of openings 53 lying in vertical registry with the underlying pair of openings 51. End portions 56 of each module are preferably open at the top and sides and the upper beams 40 and 42 are reduced in thickness to form slots 58 for receiving end portions of superposed modules in a manner to be described. The modules are preferably formed of precast reinforced concrete and, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9, a plurality of reinforcing rods 60 are disposed in the horizontal wall portions as well as in the vertical wall portions. The rods 60 in the horizontal wall portion 54 extend longitudinally of the module 14 and are reversely bent at opposite end edges of ceiling 54 to provide connections with similarly reversely bent and tranversely extending reinforcing rods carried by the floor portion 52 of a superposed module.

To erect the building illustrated in FIG. 1, the stem 12 is first fabricated preferably using a slip form concrete construction and the winch 26, lifting lines 28 and

sheaves

30, 32 and 34 are installed. The first preformed module 14a is then transported, preferably by truck, to the construction site and located at the base of stem 12 immediately adjacent one side ther 'eof and directly vertically below the final position of module 14a in the building structure. Lifting lines 28 are disposed about the pair of fixed sheaves 34 on lifting platform 24 disposed on the same side of the stem as the module is to be secured and the lifting lines 28 are passed over sheaves 34 through openings 36 and lowered to the base of stem 12 whereupon they are received through pairs of

openings

53 and 51 in the ceiling and floor portions respectively of module 14a. The ends of lifting lines 28 are then secured to a cradle, generally indicated C in FIG. 4, whereupon winch 26 is actuated to lift module 14a from its transport vertically upwardly along a side of building as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Upon reaching the designated level, module 14a is secured both directly to stem 12 and to the overhanging cross beam system 22. To accomplish this, each of the vertical columns 16 of stem 12 are provided with metalcollars 64 (FIG. 7) having a conically tapped opening 66. A pin 68 having a conically tapped end is received through openings 48 of the inner wall of module 14 for threading engagement with collar 64. While .module 14a remains supported by lines 28, shims 70 are then disposed in openings 48 to locate the module 149 vertically and shims 72 are disposed to either side of pin 68 in opening 48 to locate the module 14a horizontally. A similar connection with stem 12 is provided through upper openings 50 in the inner wall 43 of module 14a, the connection with stem 12 being with the portions of the horizontal beams 18 extending laterally beyond beams 16. When module 14a is located in its proper position, the lower edges of the cantilevered cross beams 22 on the side of the building to which the module is secured are received within slots 58 adjacent the end edges of upper wall 54. The lower edges of the cross beams 22 are secured along the inner edge of the walls 54 by joining reinforcing rods one to the other and applying expansive cement. Cross beams 22 thus act as cantilevered supports for module 14a and also preclude lateral outward movement of modules 14a away from the stem. In this manner, the module is directly supported by stem 12 through the pinned connection between the inner wall and the box beam structure of stem 12 and indirectly supported by virtue of the module being suspended from the cantilevered cross beams 22. Thus, the load of module 14a is transferred, in part, directly to stem 12 by the connection of its inner wall with the stern and, in part, through its suspension from the cantilevered end portions of cross beam structure 22. It will be appreciated that the opposite end portions 56 of module 14a project beyond the lateral edges of stem 12 and are thus cantilevered from stem 12.

When module 14a is finally secured to stem 12, the lifting lines 28 are lowered thereby lowering cradle C to adjacent the base of stem 12. The cradle is then disconnected from lifting lines 28 and the latter are lifted and disposed about the pair of fixed sheaves 34 on the opposite side of building 10. The lines 28 are then lowered to adjacent the base of stem 12 along opposite sides of the building. A second module, previously transported to adjacent the base of stem 12 at opposite sides of the building is then lifted to the same level as module 14a and secured in place similarly as described above in connection with module 14a. End portions 56 of this module are also cantilevered outwardly beyond the lateral edges of stem 12. Upon securement of the two modules at the upper level, the lifting lines 28 are disposed about a pair of the fixed sheaves 34 along a side of the building intermediate the sides having the modules secured thereto.

In like manner, the lifting lines 28 are lowered and a third module is raised to the level next below the level of the previously raised modules. The lower end wall portions 52 of the cantilevered end portions of the modules at the upper building level are received in the slots 58 provided in the opposite end wall portions of the underlying module 14c. Module 140 is secured to stem 12 utilizing a pinned connection similarly as previously described. End portions 56 of module 140 are also cantilevered beyond the lateral confines of stem 12 and module 14c is further secured along the end edges of its upper wall 54 to the cantilevered end portions of the inner lowermost beam 42 of the superposed modules 14 on the upper building level. That is to say, end portions of the inner lower beam 42 of the superposed modules are cantilevered laterally outwardly from stem 12 as previously described and are connected to the underlying module to form a cantilevered support therefor. The load of the underlying module 140 is thus transferred, in part, directly to stem 12 by the pinned connection between its inner wall'and stem 12 and, in part, indirectly to stem 12 through its suspension from the opposed cantilevered end portions 56 of the pair of superposed modules. The remaining joints between the superposed and underlying modules can be filled in with expansive grout and structural or non-structural filler joints may be utilized. It will be appreciated that the sole structural connections for the underlying module resides in its pinned connection with stem 12 and the joint between the cantilevered lower inner beams of the superposed modules along the edges of horizontal walls 54 of the underlying module. After the third module is secured to the stem, the cradle C is lowered to the base of stem 12 and disconnected from lifting lines 28. The latter are thereupon disposed about the sheaves 34 on the opposite side of building 10 to raise and secure a similar module to stem 12 in a similar manner and at a like level as the third module. Upon securement of this fourth module to the level next below the upper level of the building, the entire erection process is repeated. It will be appreciated that the resulting structure provides a pair of modules on opposite sides of the stem at each level and on alternate sides of the stem on next adjacent levels whereby the end portions of modules 14 are interleaved one with the other. The open space defined between the opposed end portions 56 of a pair of modules on one level, the floor of the module on the next superposed level, and the ceiling of the module on the level next below may be enclosed by an outer wall or facade subsequent to the securement of the modules to stem 12. By providing slots 58 in the end portions of the modules, the horizontal floor portions 52 of the modules on opposite sides of the building and the ceiling portions 54 of the modules on the other sides of the building at the level next below form a coplanar monolithic horizontal wall structure about stem 12 and which wall structure particularly reinforces the stem 12 in torsion. Moreover, by providing a box beam construction for stem 12 and a box beam module, the connection between the module and stem 12 reinforces the structural integrity of the entire building. It will be appreciated that the inner wall 47 may comprise a solid, vertically extending, slab throughout the length of the module whereby the cantilevered end portions of the module form an even stronger beam for providing cantilevered support to the underlying modules.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a further form hereof comprising a plurality of upstanding stems 112 each constructed similarly as stem 12 in the prior embodiment. Each stem 112 is provided with lifting equipment similarly as previously described, i.e., fixed and pivotable sheaves, lifting lines and a winch. The modules 114 are similar to modules 14, but are elongated as to extend beyond the lateral confines of a pair of stems 112. In the initial construction of the building illustrated in FIG. 10, four modules are raised and secured at each level. (The initial four modules being supported by the cantilevered cross beam construction at the top of stems 112, not shown.) In this form, however, modules 114 are each lifted by the lifting equipment associated with a pair of stems. A pair of elongated modules 114 are thus disposed outwardly of opposed pairs of stems 112 on opposite sides of the building and a pair of modules 114 are raised and secured between the pairs of stems 112 completing the four modules at each level of the building. At the next level, elongated modules 114 are lifted and secured in place and extend at right angles to the modules of the level next above. Again, a pair of modules 114 are disposed between pairs of stems 112 and a module is provided outwardly to either side of the pairs of stems 112. The foregoing construction is repeated for each pair of building levels and it will be appreciated that an interleaved building construction is provided with each module being supported, in part, by its direct connection of a pair of stems 112 and, in part, by its suspension from the four cantilevered end portions of the next superposed modules 114. In this form, a rectangular building plan can be provided rather than a square building as illustrated in the previous form.

It will be appreciated that the modules can be arranged about stems having polygonal cross sections in plan view, for example, hexagonal or octagonal cross sections, thus lending optimum flexibility of design to the overall building. It will be appreciated that in both the buildings of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 10, the basic principal hereof are the same, i.e., that the modules serve both as functional areas and structural supports and wherein the load of each module is transferred, in part, directly to the stem by the connection of its inner wall with the stem and, in part, through its suspension from the cantilevered end portions of superposed modules.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, said third module being supported substantially entirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

2. A building according to claim 1, including a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling the inner'side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourth module to structurally support said fourth module from said firstand second modules and to provide substantially the remaining structural support for said fourth module, said fourth module being supported substantially entirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

3. The building according to claim 2 wherein said support stem has four discrete sides, said first and second modules being disposed along opposite sides of said support stem, said third and fourth modules being disposed along the other opposite sides of said support stem.

4. The building according to claim 2 wherein the means connecting the cantilevered ends of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third and fourth modules respectively serve to restrain said third and fourth modules from movement laterally outwardly of said support stem.

5. A building according to claim 1 including a cantilevered support structure carried by said stem adjacent the upper end thereof, and module hoisting means carried by said stem adjacent its upper end including at least one sheave carried by said cantilevered support structure.

6. A building according to claim 5 wherein said module hoisting means includes a second sheave carried by said stem adjacent its upper end and within the lateral confines of said stem, said second sheave having a generally horizontally disposed axis of rotation, and means mounting said second sheave for pivotal movement about a generally vertically extending axis.

7. A building according to claim 1 including a cantilevered support structure carried by said stem adjacent the upper end thereof, and module hoisting means carried by said stem adjacent its upper end including a plurality of sheaves spaced about said cantilevered support structure, a generally centrally located sheave carried by said stem adjacent its upper end and having a generally horizontally disposed axis of rotation, and means mounting said central sheave for pivotal movement about a generally vertically extending axis.

8. A building according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of sheaves are mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and lie in generally vertical planes which intersect adjacent the central portion of said stem, said central sheave being pivotal about its vertical axis for selective substantial alignment of its plane of rotation in the vertical planes containing each of said plurality of sheaves.

9. A building according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means between each of said modules and said stem comprises a pin and a collar, bearing means carried by one of said stem and said modules at each connection thereof, and engageable about said pin, means for securing a pin and a collar one to the other at each connection of said stem and module, said collar being carried by the other of said stem andsaid module at each connection thereof.

10. A building according to claim 9 wherein said collar is internally threaded and said pins are externally threaded for threaded engagement with said collars.

11. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located at alternate building levels and at least a single module at each level between said alternate building levels, means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level in part including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projecting outwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilvered therefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module to provide a structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, each said module being substantially unsupported by the underlying modules.

12. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stern upstanding sub stantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, the cantilevered end portion of one of said first and third modules having a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portion of the other of said first and third modules.

13. The building according to claim 7 wherein the horizontal wall of one of said first and third modules is received within said slot and forms a common floor and ceiling between the cantilevered end portions of said first and third modules.

14. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located at alternate building levels and at least a single module at each level between said alternate building levels, means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level in part including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projecting outwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module to provide a structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, the cantilevered end portions of one of the modules at next adjacent levels having a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portion of the other of the modules of said next adjacent levels.

15. A multi-level building comprising:

structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second module being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means connecting the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to provide a structural cantilevered support for said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, said latter connecting means including a connection between the ends of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules and the outer side wall portion of said third module, said third module being supported substantially entirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

16. A building according to claim 15, including a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourth module to provide a structural cantilevered support for said fourth module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said fourth module, said latter connecting means including a connection between the ends of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules and the outer side wall portion of said fourth modules, said fourth module being supported substantially entirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

17. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, the horizontal wall portion of one of said first and third modules forming a portion of a common floor and ceiling therebetween.

18. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourth module to structurally support said fourth module from said first and second modules and to provide substantially the remaining structural support for said fourth module, the horizontal wall portions of one of said first and third modules and one of said second and fourth modules forming respective portions of common floors and ceilings therebetween.

19. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stern upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said fist and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, andmeans connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourth module to structurally support said fourth module from said first and second modules and to provide substantially the remaining structural support for said fourth module, the connecting means between the cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules and said third module extending substantially continuously along said third module between its inner and outside walls at a location inset from the end walls of said third module and substantially in the respective vertical planes containing the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules, the connecting means between the'cantilevered opposite end portions of said first and second modules and said fourth module extending substantially continuously along said fourth module between its inner and outside walls at a location inset from the ends of said fourth module and substantially in the respective vertical planes containing the inner wall portions of said first and second modules.

20. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located at alternate building levels and at least a single module at each level between said alternate building levels, means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level in part including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projecting laterally outwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, means con: necting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module-to provide a structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, the horizontal wall portion of one of the modules at next adjacent levels forming a portion of a common floor and ceiling therebetween.

Claims

1. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, said third module being supported substantially entirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

2. A building according to claim 1, including a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourth module to structurally support said fourth module from said first and second modules and to provide substantially the remaining structural support for said fourth module, said fourth module being supported substantially entirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

9. A building according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means between each of said modules and said stem comprises a pin and a collar, bearing means carried by one of said stem and said modules at each connection thereof, and engageable about said pin, means for securing a pin and a collar one to the other at each connection of said stem and module, said collar being carried by the other of said stem and said module at each connection thereof.

11. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located at alternate building levels and at least a single module at each level between said alternate building levels, means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level in part including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projecting outwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilvered therefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module to provide a structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, each said module being substantially unsupported by the underlying modules.

12. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstAnding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, the cantilevered end portion of one of said first and third modules having a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portion of the other of said first and third modules.

14. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located at alternate building levels and at least a single module at each level between said alternate building levels, means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level in part including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projecting outwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module to provide a structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, the cantilevered end portions of one of the modules at next adjacent levels having a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portion of the other of the modules of said next adjacent levels.

15. A multi-level building comprising: structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portIons of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second module being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means connecting the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to provide a structural cantilevered support for said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, said latter connecting means including a connection between the ends of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules and the outer side wall portion of said third module, said third module being supported substantially entirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

19. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said fist and second modules projecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from said support stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said third module directly from said support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrOm and underlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said third module to structurally support said third module from said first and second modules and provide substantially the remaining structural support for said third module, a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at a building level next below said predetermined building level to provide partial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourth module to structurally support said fourth module from said first and second modules and to provide substantially the remaining structural support for said fourth module, the connecting means between the cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules and said third module extending substantially continuously along said third module between its inner and outside walls at a location inset from the end walls of said third module and substantially in the respective vertical planes containing the inner side wall portions of said first and second modules, the connecting means between the cantilevered opposite end portions of said first and second modules and said fourth module extending substantially continuously along said fourth module between its inner and outside walls at a location inset from the ends of said fourth module and substantially in the respective vertical planes containing the inner wall portions of said first and second modules.

20. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located at alternate building levels and at least a single module at each level between said alternate building levels, means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level in part including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projecting laterally outwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module to provide a structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, the horizontal wall portion of one of the modules at next adjacent levels forming a portion of a common floor and ceiling therebetween.