US3738073A

US3738073A - Prefabricated building structures

Info

Publication number: US3738073A
Application number: US00229762A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Boulanger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-02-28
Filing date: 1972-02-28
Publication date: 1973-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-12

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved method of assembling prefabricated building structures, and is particularly applicable to structures where the wall panels are prefinished, i.e. where all services such as electricity and plumbing are built in. In the prefabricated building structure according to the invention there is provided a roof section and a floor section, a series of vertically arranged wall forming panel sections held fixedly in edge-to-edge relation by generally U-shaped clamp means extending from one panel section to another, and having portions thereof embedded within slots formed in the panel sections. The panel sections are connected with a plurality of corner posts by intermediate structural elements each of which is attached to, and extends substantially the height of a post, each element having on a face abutting a post, a plurality of vertically spaced apart transversely extending slots arranged in horizontal alignment with the slots formed in the panel sections. The panel sections are then attached to the member by a plurality of clamps extending into slots in the member and the panel section.

Description

llnited States Patent 41 1 Foulanger m1 3332mm June 12, 1973 [54] PREFABRICATED BUILDING STRUCTURES [76] Inventor: Laureat A. Boulanger, PO. Box

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 7, 1972 Canada ..l34,085

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1905 Ducker 52/282 6/1915 Greer 52/92 Primary.ExaminerJohn E. Murtagh Att0rneyE. F. Wenderoth, Eric L. Medcalf, Russel S Smart et al [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to an improved method of assembling prefabricated building structures, and is particularly applicable to structures where the wall panels are prefinished, i.e. where all services such as electricity and plumbing are built in. In the prefabricated building structure according to the invention there is provided a roof section and a floor section, a series of vertically arranged wall forming panel sections held fixedly in edge-to-edge relation by generally U-shaped clamp means extending from one panel section to another, and having portions thereof embedded within slots formed in'the panel sections. The panel sections are connected with a plurality of corner posts by intermediate structural elements each of which is attached to, and extends substantially the height of a post, each element having on a face abutting a post, a plurality of vertically spaced apart transversely extending slots arranged in horizontal alignment with the slots formed in the panel sections. The panel sections are then attached to the member by a plurality of clamps extending into slots in the member and the panel section.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENIED JUN I 2 I975 SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG. I

PATENIEUJUWI975 I I 3.738.013

sum 2 0r 2 FIG. 2

PREFABRICATED BUILDING STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an improved method of assembling prefabricated building structures, and is particularly applicable to structures where the wall panels are prefinished, i.e., where are services such as electricity and plumbing are built in.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART Prefabricated buildings, and method of assembling same, have been known for a number of years. In such constructions, basic building sections, partly finished by the manufacture, were transported to the building site for final assembly, the plumbing and electrical systems being completed after erection. With such systems, constructional costs were high, due to the requirement of skilled labor for final assembly and fitting, and once erected, the structures were considered permanent and could not be easily disassembled and reerected on another site, as required under certain circumstances.

In another known method, a modular system was evolved, each module being completely assembled at the manufacturing establishment, then transported to the site with other modules. The building being completed by simply coupling the modules together. Once again, manufacturing costs were extremely high, and skilled labor was required on site to assemble these modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an attempt to overcome these problems prefinished panel sections were developed which have all services built in. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of assembling the interior and exterior walls of prefabricated buildings, utilizing such prefabricated panel sections which method comprises the steps of providing a number of corner posts, affixing to each individual post at least one intermediate structural member which extends substantially the height of the post and has, on a face abutting the posts, a number of vertically spaced apart, transversely extending slots, providing a number of wall forming panel sections having slots formed therein and fastening by means of a number of generally U-shaped clamps at least one of the wall forming sections to the structural member, utilizing each of the slots in the member to accommodate one limb of a clamp, the other limb of the clamp being inserted into a mating slot provided in the wall forming section, and assembling the remaining wall forming sections in edge-to-edge relation, by means of additional clamps similar to the first mentioned clamps, and complementary slots in the sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A method of assembly according to the present in vention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows, in partial section, a corner of a building and adjoining side walls assembled in accordance with the method of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the intermediate element which when affixed to the corner post serves as a starter plate for assembling the wall sections; and

FIG. 3 shows a typical clamp used during assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown the method of attaching a prefabricated panel to a corner post, and the attaching of two panels, in accordance with the invention.

The basic structural elements of the prefabricated structure shown in FIG. 1 are enumerated as follows: the comer post is given numeral 10, and the panels or wall forming members, indicated generally at H. These panels are made up principally of a top plate 12 interior facing sheet, 13, and external facing sheet 14, fastened to an internal frame work comprising stud l7 and sole 19. In FIG. 1 the subfloor sheathing is given numeral 20, a joist header numeral 21, and the sill numeral 22. Finally, a starter plate 15, of the type shown in FIG. 2, can be seen positioned between the internal frame work of the panel 11 and the corner post 10. As indicated, the panel is fastened to the starter plate 15 by a generally U-shaped clip 16 (FIG. 3).

It is to be understood that roof and floor sections (not shown) of conventional design can be utilized with the prefabricated structure according to the invention. It will be further understood that whilst only the assembling of an exterior wall structure will be described hereafter, the method of assembly is equally applicable to the assembling of interior wall structures.

In the method of assembly according to the invention, a starter plate, or intermediate structure member 15 (FIG. 2) is provided which comprises a backing member 23 and facing member 24, the facing member having formed therein a plurality of transversely extending slots 25.

Assuming the corner posts 10 of a building have been erected, starter plates 15 are fastened to the faces of the corner posts from which the exterior panels will ra diate. The starter plates 15 are affixed to the corner post so that the slotted face 24 abuts the appropriate side of the corner post 10.

The method of assembly is primarily directed to the utilization of prefinished panels. The term prefinished panels, is to be understood to apply to standard size panels received from the manufacturer completely assembled in sections which include prefitted, and prehung doors and windows, the panel surfaces also being prefinished on the exterior and interior, and all services e.g. electricity and plumbing built in.

Internal studs 17 of panels 11 are also slotted on their inside panel facing edge 26, at predetermined positions corresponding to the previously mentioned slots 25 in starter plate 15. When a panel 11 is brought into abutting relationship with starter plate 15, U-clips 16 can be inserted through holes, cut for example from exterior panel facing sheet 14. The slots 25 provided in starter plate 15 accommodate one limb 27 of each clamp, the other limb 28 being inserted into the mating slot provided in the panel facing edge 26 of stud 17. These clamps can then be nailed or screwed to hold the panel rigidly against starter plate 15 and thus to the corner post structure.

Likewise, as can be seen from FIG. 1, when two panels are connected to form a wall, their abutting studs being slotted, can be joined together by the generally U-shaped clamps as before. Finally, in order to cover the holes formed in the panel facing sheets, battens 18 are provided, which can be attached by any suitable means to the wall forming sections.

With this method of assembly, it will be seen that by providing the wall forming panel sections in convenient sizes, they are easy to transport and can be assembled without the need for skilled labor.

Due to standardization of the panels, the purchaser can design his own home whether it be a house, garage, cottage, etc., and by utilizing this method of assembly, the structure can be easily dismantled and reassembled on a different site, thus making its use by construction camps or mining camps highly advantageous.

As indicated, the assembling of the interior panels can be carried out in a similar manner, and once again these interior panels can be supplied prefinished with all electrical, plumbing, and heating fixtures installed. It will also be appreciated that the interior panels can be easily rearranged, and this would be of advantage in a house where for example, an additional bedroom was required. Externally, additional structures such as car ports, porches and garages can also be quickly assembled by the method disclosed herein.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A method of assembling the interior and exterior walls of prefabricated buildings, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a plurality of comer posts,

b. affixing to each individual post at least one intermediate structural member which extends substantially the height of said post and has, on a face thereof abutting said post, a plurality of vertically spaced apart, transversely extending slots,

c. providing a plurality of wall forming panel sections having slots formed therein,

(1. fastening, by means of a plurality of generally U- shaped clamp means, one of said sections to said structural member, utilizing each of said slots in said member to accommodate one limb of said clamp means, the other limb of each said clamp means being inserted into a mating slot provided in said section, and

e. assembling the remaining wall forming panel sections in edge-to-edge relation, by means of additional clamp means similar to the first mentioned clamp means and complementary slots in said sections.

2. In a prefabricated building structure including a roof section and a floor section, a series of vertically arranged wall forming panel sections held fixedly in edgeto-edge relation by generally U-shaped clamp means extending from one panel section to another and having portions thereof embedded within slots formed in said panel sections, said panel sections being connected with a plurality of corner posts by intermediate structural elements each of which is attached to, and extends the height of a said post, each said element having on a face abutting a said post, a plurality of vertically spaced apart transversely extending slots arranged in horizontal alignment with said slots formed in said panel sections, a said panel section being attached to said member by a plurality of said clamp means extending into slots in said member and said panel section.

Claims

1. A method of assembling the interior and exterior walls of prefabricated buildings, comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of corner posts, b. affixing to each individual post at least one intermediate structural member which extends substantially the height of said post and has, on a face thereof abutting said post, a plurality of vertically spaced apart, transversely extending slots, c. providing a plurality of wall forming panel sections having slots formed therein, d. fastening, by means of a plurality of generally U-shaped clamp means, one of said sections to said structural member, utilizing each of said slots in said member to accommodate one limb of said clamp means, the other limb of each said clamp means being inserted into a mating slot provided in said section, and e. assembling the remaining wall forming panel sections in edgeto-edge relation, by means of additional clamp means similar to the first mentioned clamp means and complementary slots in said sections.

2. In a prefabricated building structure including a roof section and a floor section, a series of vertically arranged wall forming panel sections held fixedly in edge-to-edge relation by generally U-shaped clamp means extending from one panel section to another and having portions thereof embedded within slots formed in said panel sections, said panel sections being connected with a plurality of corner posts by intermediate structural elements each of which is attached to, and extends the height of a said post, each said element having on a face abutting a said post, a plurality of vertically spaced apart transversely extending slots arranged in horizontal alignment with said slots formed in said panel sections, a said panel section being attached to said member by a plurality of said clamp means extending into slots in said member and said panel section.