WO2002035023A1

WO2002035023A1 - Modular building structures

Info

Publication number: WO2002035023A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/004694
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Cullen, Sr.
Original assignee: Cullen, Raymond, Jr.; Cullen, Philip
Priority date: 2000-10-23
Filing date: 2001-10-23
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: GB0025920D0; AU2002214125A1

Abstract

A modular building structure has one or more parts, the or each with a skeletal framework comprising four metal uprights (10), positioned one at each corner of a rectangular floor sub-assembly (12) and of a rectangular ceiling sub-assembly (14) spaced thereabove. Each floor and ceiling sub-assembly (12, 14) has two longitudinal metal members (16) of C-cross-section and two metal transoms (18) of C-cross-section. Each upright (10) has at or near to its bottom end a first set of two web plates (20) secured thereto at a ninety degree disposition to each other, and at or near its upper end a second set of two web plates (22) similarly secured and similarly at a ninety degrees disposition. Each web plate (20, 22) in both sets have two or more ridges/grooves (26) whose axes are parallel and horizontally extending from the respective upright (10). The ridges of the web plates (20, 22) are to mate with corresponding grooves/ridges (26) provided lengthwise of each longitudinal member (16) or transom (18). The web plates (20, 22) of each upright (10) are fastened to respective ends of a longitudinal member (16) and a transom (18).

Description

MODULAR BUILDING STRUCTURES

This invention relates to a modular building structure in which the structure is fabricated in a manufacturing or an assembly unit in one or more parts and transportable in said one or more parts to a site for use. If the structure or part thereof is to be transported by road, then certain road regulations regarding width and length require to be adhered to. Particularly, but not essentially, the structure is fabricated in two longitudinal halves, each transportable to a site whereat they are united to form a single building structure.

Problems exist in such fabrication, to ensure at least continued rigidity and non-distortion during transportation, and over time, settlement.

An object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate such problems. Accordingly, the present invention is a modular building structure having one or more parts, the or each with a skeletal framework comprising four metal uprights, positioned one at each corner of a rectangular floor sub-assembly and of a rectangular ceiling sub-assembly spaced thereabove, each floor and ceiling sub-assembly having two longitudinal metal members of C-cross-section and two metal transoms of C-cross-section, each upright having at or near to its bottom end a first set of two web plates secured thereto at a substantially ninety degree disposition to each other, and at or near its upper end a second set of two web plates similarly secured and similarly at a substantially ninety degrees disposition, each web plate in both sets having two or more ridges/grooves whose axes are parallel and horizontally extending from the respective upright, the ridges of the web plates being to mate with corresponding grooves/ridges provided lengthwise of each longitudinal member or transom, the web plates of each upright being fastened to respective ends of a longitudinal member and a transom.

Preferably, both the floor sub-assembly and the ceiling sub-assembly have a series of metal cross-members parallel to the transoms and spaced at intervals along the length of and between their respective longitudinal members. Preferably also, if it is intended to have a pitched roof, the two uprights on the longitudinal side intended to be the higher, are of increased height and are each provided with a third web plate, the web plates of both uprights extending towards each other to be fastened to

5 respective ends of a longitudinal top member.

Preferably further, the top of each upright has a tapped bore into which a threaded element of a hitch coupling can be screwed to enable the or each part of the structure to be lifted onto a trailer for transportation, the hitch couplings being removed after use when the or each part of the structure is positioned on a desired site.

0 The skeletal framework is beneficially customised as required and fitted out externally with a plurality of weatherproofed external wall panels accommodating one or more doors and windows, and internally with a plurality of partitions including doors to form rooms. If two parts are being used in the structure, it is preferable that some of the partition walls are aligned with the inside longitudinal face of the parts. The structure of two parts is ideally suited for being

5 fitted out as a bungalow, country cottage, ranch house, or similar dwelling, having a double- pitched roof. On site, the parts are fastened together, and at the apex of the roof a ridge- capping member is provided to cover the joint between the two parts.

Each skeletal framework may comprise six metal uprights positioned one at each corner of a rectangular floor sub-assembly and one mid-way of each longitudinal side. The height of

.0 the three uprights along each longitudinal side are desirably equal, with the height of the uprights on one longitudinal side being greater than those of the other longitudinal side where a pitched roof is to be provided.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

-5 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a skeletal framework of two parts of a modular building structure according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one type of an upright of the skeletal framework; Fig, 3 is a side elevation of a second type of an upright of the skeletal framework; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a longitudinal member or transom, to a larger scale, forming part of a floor or ceiling sub-assembly of the skeletal framework; and

5 Fig. 5 is perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but with one skeletal framework shown with additional uprights.

Referring to the drawings, a modular building structure is in two longitudinal parts, each being provided with a skeletal framework comprising four uprights 10, each of tubular metal, and positioned one at each corner of a rectangular floor sub-assembly 12 and of a rectangular

10 ceiling sub-assembly 14 spaced thereabove. Each floor and ceiling assembly 12, 14 has two longitudinal metal members 16 of C-cross-section and two metal transoms 18 of C-cross- section. Each upright 10 has at or near to its bottom end a first set of two web plates 20 secured thereto at a ninety degree disposition to each other, and at or near its upper end a second set of two web plates 22 similarly secured and similarly at a ninety degree disposition.

[5 Each web plate 20, 22 in both sets having two or more ridges/grooves 24 whose axes are parallel and horizontally extending from the respective upright 10. The ridges of the web plates 20, 22 are to mate with corresponding grooves/ridges 26 provided lengthwise of each longitudinal member 16 or transom 18. The web plates 20, 22 of each upright 10 are fastened by screw bolt fasteners to respective ends of a longitudinal member 16 and a transom 18.

-0 Both the floor sub-assembly 12 and the ceiling sub-assembly 14 have a series of cross- members 30, parallel to the transoms18 and spaced at intervals along the length of and between their respective longitudinal members 16.

In this embodiment, a pitched roof is provided for by the two uprights 10 on the longitudinal side intended to be the higher being of increased height and being each provided

-5 with a third web plate 32. The web plate 32 of both extended uprights 10A extend towards each other to be fastened to respective ends of a longitudinal top member 16A, similar to each other longitudinal member 16. The top of each upright 10, 10A has a tapped bore (not shown) into which a threaded element of a hitch coupling (not shown) can be screwed to enable the structure to be lifted onto a trailer for transportation. The hitch couplings are removed after use when each part of the structure is positioned on a desired site.

The skeletal framework is customised as required and fitted out externally with a plurality of insulated weatherproof external wall panels, the panels accommodating one or more doors and windows, and internally with a plurality of partitions including doors to form rooms. As in this embodiment when two parts are being used in the structure, it is preferable that some of the internal partition walls are aligned with the inside longitudinal face of one of the parts. The structure of two parts is ideally suited for being fitted out as a bungalow, country cottage, ranch house or similar dwelling having a double-pitched roof.

The skeletal frameworks of the two parts of the structure are erected and temporarily fastened at the manufacturing/ assembly unit. The frameworks are then fitted out. The external panels and internal partitions are made-up as sub-assemblies and fitted to the frameworks as required. Plug sockets, light switches and fitments are all installed and wired up in each part. The fitting out also includes the fitting out of a kitchen and bathroom. An en-suite bathroom may also be provided. Roof sub-assemblies are provided and fitted. To transport the structure, the two parts are separated, the tile or covering above each upright is removed, a hitch coupling fastened therein and each part separately lifted by a hoist or crane onto a separate low loader trailer. On a desired site, the parts are lifted off the trailer and positioned as required on a prepared base. The hitch couplings are removed and tiles or coverings replaced. The adjacent longitudinal members 16 are fastened together, and at the apex of the roof a ridge-capping member is provided to cover the joint between the two parts. The waste pipes of both parts are connected up and fed to a prepared waste, disposal arrangement, and the plumbing fitments are integrated with a water supply. The electricity supply connected up to a meter provided in one of the parts after the wiring of both parts have connected together.

In a modification, where the building structure is to be of a length of forty feet ( 12.20 metres) or greater, each skeletal framework comprises six metal uprights 10, 10B positioned one at each corner of the rectangular floor sub-assembly 12 and one 10B mid-way of the member 16 of each longitudinal side. The height of the three uprights 10 along each longitudinal side are equal. In the instance where the pitched roof is to be provided, the height of the uprights 10A, 10B on one longitudinal side are greater than those of the other longitudinal side.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above and as claimed hereinafter.

Claims

1. A modular building structure having one or more parts, the or each with a skeletal framework comprising four metal uprights, positioned one at each corner of a rectangular floor sub-assembly and of a rectangular ceiling sub-assembly spaced thereabove, each floor and ceiling sub-assembly having two longitudinal metal members of C-cross-section and two metal transoms of C-cross-section, each upright having at or near to its bottom end a first set of two web plates secured thereto at a substantially ninety degree disposition to each other, and at or near its upper end a second set of two web plates similarly secured and similarly at a substantially ninety degrees disposition, each web plate in both sets having two or more ridges/grooves whose axes are parallel and horizontally extending from the respective upright, the ridges of the web plates being to mate with corresponding grooves/ridges provided lengthwise of each longitudinal member or transom, the web plates of each upright being fastened to respective ends of a longitudinal member and a transom.

2. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein both the floor sub-assembly and the ceiling sub-assembly have a series of metal cross-members parallel to the transoms and spaced at intervals along the length of and between their respective longitudinal members.

3. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein if it is intended to have a pitched roof, the two uprights on the longitudinal side intended to be the higher, are of increased height and are each provided with a third web plate, the web plates of both uprights extending towards each other to be fastened to respective ends of a longitudinal top member.

4. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the top of each upright has a tapped bore into which a threaded element of a hitch coupling can be screwed to enable the or each part of the structure to be lifted onto a trailer for transportation, the hitch couplings being removed after use when the or each part of the structure is positioned on a desired site.

5. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the skeletal framework is customised as required and fitted out externally with a plurality of weatherproofed external wall panels accommodating one or more doors and windows, and internally with a plurality of partitions including doors to form rooms.

6. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 5, wherein if two parts are being used in the structure some of the partition walls in both parts are aligned with the inside longitudinal face of the parts.

7. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 6, wherein on site, the parts are fastened together, and at the apex of the roof a ridge-capping member is provided to cover the joint between the two parts.

8. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein each skeletal framework comprises six metal uprights positioned one at each corner of a rectangular floor sub-assembly and one of each longitudinal side.

9. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the height of the three uprights along each longitudinal side are equal.

10. A modular building structure as claimed in Claim 8, wherein with the height of the three uprights on one longitudinal side are greater than those of the other longitudinal side where a pitched roof is to be provided.

11. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.