WO2009098483A2

WO2009098483A2 - Interconnection modules

Info

Publication number: WO2009098483A2
Application number: PCT/GB2009/000351
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Heather
Original assignee: Big Steps Limited
Priority date: 2008-02-08
Filing date: 2009-02-09
Publication date: 2009-08-13
Also published as: GB0802416D0; WO2009098483A3

Abstract

A building includes a multiplicity of building modules. The building modules including a plurality of accommodation modules (1), each accommodation module (1) being hollow and defining a space of a size suitable for occupation by a person, and a plurality of interconnection modules (2, 3), each interconnection module being of a height less than the accommodation modules (1) and being disposed in a gap between two accommodation modules to span the gap. The interconnection modules include both vertical interconnection modules (2) interposed vertically between accommodation modules (1) and transverse interconnection modules (3) extending transversely across gaps between accommodation modules (1)

Description

Interconnection modules

This invention relates to a building made from modules, to a module for such a building and to the construction of buildings using such modules.

The invention is concerned especially, but not exclusively, with developments to, and modifications of, the buildings described in our earlier international patent application WO 2005/038155, the text and drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

When a building is formed of cuboidal modules all of which are the same size, the resulting structure is likely to have certain limitations of a functional and/or aesthetic kind. That may be seen for example from US 4,599,829.

It is an object of the invention to provide a building made from modules, a module for such a building, and a method of constructing a building from modules, which enable an improvement in functional and/or aesthetic characteristics of the building to be obtained.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a building including a multiplicity of building modules, the building modules including a plurality of accommodation modules, each accommodation module being hollow and defining a space of a size suitable for occupation by a person, and a plurality of interconnection modules, each interconnection module being of a height less than the accommodation modules and being disposed in a gap between two accommodation modules to span the gap. By providing a building that includes both accommodation modules and interconnection modules of the kind defined it becomes possible to provide a building that has a variety of additional attributes. As will become apparent from the further description below, those attributes include both practical attributes such as ease of connecting required services within the building, the creation of load bearing platforms that may for example form walkways or roadways, and additional strength, and aesthetic attributes such as the provision of open spaces, which may be open-air internal or external spaces, within the envelope of the building. The accommodation modules are preferably each of generally cuboidal shape. Claddings may be attached to one or more exterior faces of the modules and such claddings may alter the shape of the modules to some extent.

The interconnection modules are also preferably of generally cuboidal shape. Also, the interconnection modules are preferably hollow. The interconnection modules may be of skeletal form; the skeletal frames of the module may be covered or partly covered by panels. By making the interconnection modules hollow, not only is the weight of the modules reduced but it becomes possible to place services in the modules. Examples of services that may be placed in the interconnection modules are electrical power, IT, gas, water, drainage, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and telecommunication services. Tanks for storing water (grey water or drinking water) may also be provided in the interconnection modules.

In one arrangement according to the invention, the interconnection modules include a vertical interconnection module which is disposed above a first accommodation module and below a second accommodation module, which spans the gap between the modules and which is connected to the first and second modules. Where reference is made to a gap between the first and second modules, it should be understood that this is a reference to the spacing of the modules in the building but does not imply that there is any structure keeping the modules apart other than the interconnection module. In an arrangement of the kind just described, the interconnection modules may provide space for services that are required in the first and/or second modules as well as providing a space through which services may pass . The width of the vertical interconnection module may be substantially the same as the width of the first and/or second accommodation module and in some applications that may be preferred, for example, to provide a substantially continuous vertical face to a building. It is also possible, however, for the width of the vertical interconnection module to be less than or greater than the width of the first and/or second accommodation module. In that case, a step can readily be formed at an interface of the interconnection module and one of the accommodation modules. Such a step may be useful for providing a ledge upon which other modules can rest. Preferably the difference in width of the vertical interconnection module from the width of the first and/or second accommodation module is not more than 40 per cent and more preferably not more than 20 per cent, of the width of the first and/or second accommodation module.

In another arrangement according to the invention, the interconnection modules include, alternatively or additionally, a transverse interconnection module which extends transversely between a third accommodation module and a fourth accommodation module and spans the gap between the third and fourth modules. Where reference is made to "third" and "fourth" modules, it will be understood that these modules may be different from the "first" and

"second" modules but it is also possible for the same accommodation module to be one of the first and second modules and one of the third and fourth modules.

The transverse interconnection module is preferably elongate having a length greater than a width and the longitudinal axis of the module preferably extends transversely between the third and fourth modules. The transverse interconnection module may extend to a position overlapping the footprint of the third and/or fourth module. That is particularly desirable in a case where ledges are formed above or below the third and/or fourth module and the ends of the transverse interconnection - A -

module are supported on those ledges. Alternatively, the transverse interconnection module may not overlap the footprint of the third or the fourth modules . In that case, the ends of the transverse interconnection module may be supported on separate supports which may extend upwardly to the transverse interconnection module from a support surface below the module.

Whilst some interconnection modules may be placed at ground level or below, for example to provide a base of the building that is able to accommodate services, if desired, it is preferred that one or more of the interconnection modules are disposed with open space, preferably open to the outside, below them. The open space preferably has a height of at least one half of an accommodation module and more preferably at least two-thirds of the height of an accommodation module. In some applications it will be preferred that the open space extends for a height greater than the height of an accommodation module, for example for a height of more than one-and-a-half accommodation modules. Interconnection modules may be placed side-by-side but may also be placed vertically above one another with a space therebetween, thereby creating further open space. Thus, the interconnection modules may include a further transverse interconnection module which extends transversely between accommodation modules spanning a gap between them, the further transverse interconnection module overlying and spaced from the first-mentioned transverse interconnection module creating an open space between the transverse interconnection modules. In our earlier International application,

WO 2005/038155, we describe various forms of module and fastening element which make it easy to engage the modules with standard load handling equipment designed for ISO containers and to transport them by sea and road. Also, in our earlier International patent application No

WO2008/107693, the text and drawings of which are also incorporated herein by reference, connector systems for connecting modules together are described and those systems may be employed to connect modules together in the present invention. Those features may well be applied to the accommodation modules and the interconnection modules of the present invention. The features immediately below represent some of the features that result from adopting those features.

The accommodation modules preferably have fastening elements to allow for engagement by standard load handling equipment. At least some of the accommodation modules preferably have a width of about 2.5 m corresponding approximately to the width of an ISO container. The width of a standard ISO container is 2.438 m and the reference to "about 2.5 m" is to be regarded as covering such a width. As an alternative, or in addition, to providing an accommodation module of such a width, it may be desirable to provide at least some of the accommodation modules with a width of about 1.5 times the width of an ISO container. In some applications, it may be convenient to provide an accommodation module with a width of up to 2 times the width of an ISO container.

The interconnection modules may similarly have fastening elements to allow for engagement by standard load handling equipment and may have similar widths to those referred to above for the accommodation modules.

The ratio of the width of at least some accommodation modules to the width of at least some interconnection modules may be in the range of 0.95 to 1.2, resulting in the widths of the modules being similar. Also, however, the ratio of the width of at least some of the accommodation modules to the width of at least some of the interconnection modules may be in the range of 1.4 to 1.6. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, there are accommodation modules that have a width approximately 1.5 times the width of an ISO container, there are vertical interconnection modules of the same or similar width and there are transverse interconnection modules of a width corresponding approximately to the width of an ISO container. In a typical case, at least some of the modules have a length of the order of 12 m (a standard length of a "40 ft" container is 12192 mm) and in that case five transverse interconnection modules can be placed side-by- side along a side of an accommodation module, or three transverse interconnection modules each of width 1.5 times the width of an ISO container can be placed along the side of an accommodation module with some free space at each end of the module. Of course modules of other sizes, including ones of length 6.058 m (20ft) or of greater lengths up to for example 17 m can also be used.

Where reference is made to a module being an "accommodation module" it should be understood that the nature of the accommodation may be of various different kinds. For example, the accommodation may be residential accommodation, or office accommodation, or indeed other kinds of accommodation such as laboratories, gymnasiums, etc. Preferably, the accommodation modules do provide collectively appropriate facilities for persons spending time within the modules. For example the modules are preferably provided with interconnections to services including any or all of those specified above. One or more of the accommodation modules may include a kitchen pod and/or a bathroom pod which may include a toilet. An advantage of providing such facilities in pods is that their installation is facilitated but it is also possible for them to be built into the accommodation modules without the use of pods. The present invention further provides an interconnection module suitable for use in a building as defined above. Also, the present invention provides an interconnection module for mounting in a building between two accommodation modules, the interconnection module being hollow and of generally cuboidal shape. The interconnection module may have any of the features referred to above. The same interconnection module may be able to be used as either a vertical interconnection module or a transverse interconnection module.

A particularly advantageous feature of an interconnection module is that it can act as a service module and can provide a means for services to pass up, down or across a building. Thus the services may include services entering a side or end face of the module and leaving a different side or end face of the module, and/or, the services may include services entering at a top face of the module and leaving at a bottom face of the module, or vice versa.

The interconnection modules may be fitted with floors, ceilings and/or fire breaks.

The present invention further includes a method of constructing a building at a site, the method comprising the following steps: fabricating a plurality of accommodation modules and transporting the modules to the site, fabricating a plurality of interconnection modules and transporting the modules to the site, assembling the modules into a building in which each interconnection module is disposed in a gap between two accommodation modules to span the gap.

As well as, or instead of, the interconnection modules being disposed in a gap between two accommodation modules to span the gap, the interconnection modules may provide a foundation base structure. The foundation base structure may support the full building and distribute the required services to the building. It should be understood that the building, the interconnection module and the method of constructing the building may also include any of the features described in our International application WO 2005/038155 or our International patent application No WO2008/107693. By way of example, an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. IA is a perspective view of a building at a first early stage of construction;

Fig. IB is a perspective view of the building at a second intermediate stage of construction; Fig. 1C is a perspective view of the building at a third intermediate stage of construction, later than the second intermediate stage; Fig. ID is a perspective view of the building at a fourth late stage of construction with part of the construction complete;

Fig. 2A is a perspective schematic view of an interconnection module with pivotable supports;

Fig. 2B is a perspective schematic view of another pivotable support arrangement;

Fig. 2C is a set of three schematic drawings showing a bolt-in support arrangement; Fig. 3 is a perspective schematic view of an alternative form of interconnection module; Fig. 3A is a perspective schematic view of another alternative form of interconnection module; Fig. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a skeleton structure of an interconnection module; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one end of an interconnection module.

As already explained, the invention incorporates developments to, and modifications of, the buildings described in our earlier international patent application WO 2005/038155, the text and drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference. A good understanding of the background to matters described below can be obtained from reading WO 2005/038155.

The building shown in various stages of construction in Figs. IA to ID generally comprises a multiplicity of building modules (in this specification the term

"multiplicity" is to be understood as referring to three or more) . The building modules include accommodation - S -

modules 1, vertical interconnection modules 2 and transverse interconnection modules 3. The accommodation modules 1 may be in any of the forms described in WO 2005/038155. For example, each accommodation module may have a width of 2.438 m, a length of 12.192 m and a height of 1.2 m.

Fig. IA shows an early stage of construction when foundations such as piles have been built and interconnection modules 2, 3 are being laid on the foundations. Each interconnection module is of cuboidal shape and may have a width of 2.438 m, a length of 12.192 m and a height of 1.2m. The module is fabricated from steel and is hollow, enabling it to accommodate services and the like. It may be referred to as a "cassette". As shown in Fig IA, most of the interconnection modules 2, 3 at ground level have tops that are corrugated but in the example shown there are also some, referenced 3A, which have plain top surfaces to provide a walkway or roadway in the finished building. The interconnection modules 2, 3 have ISO corner fittings at their corners. That allows them to be handled and transported like ISO containers with two modules stacked on top of each other having a height similar to an ISO container, and it also allows them to be fastened to connectors projecting upwardly from the foundations and engageable in the corner fittings. It will be understood that the interconnection module 2 may be of the same construction as the interconnection module 3. As shown in Fig. IA the vertical interconnection modules 2 are laid with their longitudinal axes extending in a first direction and the transverse interconnection modules 3 are laid with their axes extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first. The modules can readily be placed in position by a crane 5 and can be conveyed to the site by a conventional truck and trailer 6 for carrying an ISO container.

Referring now to Fig. IB, it can be seen that accommodation modules 1 have been placed on top of some of the vertical interconnection modules 2 but not on top of the transverse interconnection modules 3. Also further vertical interconnection modules 2A have been placed on top of some of the accommodation modules 1, and some transverse interconnection modules 2B have been placed across gaps between accommodation modules 1. The bottom faces of the transverse interconnection modules 2 are approximately level with the tops of the accommodation modules 1 and therefore a space of height approximately 2.9 m (the height of an accommodation module is formed below the modules 2B. Services can be connected between the accommodation modules via the interconnection modules 2,3, allowing services to run vertically and/or horizontally.

Fig. 1C shows the building at a more advanced stage of building with more accommodation modules 1, vertical interconnection modules 2 and transverse interconnection modules 3 provided.

Fig. ID shows a more advanced stage of construction in which exterior cladding 8 has been added to some parts of the building to enhance its appearance, a glazed roof panel 9 has been incorporated to define below it an open space having a height of about 12 m, roofing 10 has been fitted and a roof module 11, which may be an accommodation module 1 fitted out with appropriate services, such as water tanks, a boiler or air conditioning units, has been added. Also shown in Fig. ID are some side glazing panels 12 which again create an open feel to the building. If desired other lightweight curved roofing panels may also be added to the top of the building. In Figs. IA to ID the interconnection modules 2, 3 are shown being slightly narrower than the accommodation modules 1. An advantage of such a configuration is that ledges are formed at the interfaces of the interconnection modules and the accommodation modules and those ledges can support the transverse interconnection modules. Such a difference in width may be achieved by making the accommodation modules slightly wider than an ISO standard width of 2.438 m or by making the interconnection modules slightly narrower. An alternative option is to make the accommodation modules and the interconnection modules the same width and to support the transverse interconnection modules either on the adjacent vertical interconnection modules or on separate posts from below.

The building described above can be made to have the appearance and feel of a permanent structure and indeed can be employed as a permanent structure. However, because it is a very simple matter to erect and dismantle the building, it is able to be employed in situations where the position or arrangement of the building needs to be changed on occasion. The building may be referred to as a pavilion. Having described one particular form of building embodying the invention the various components that may be employed in that building will now be described, together with variations to those components.

As shown in Fig. 2A, an interconnection module 20 may be provided with support legs 21 that are pivotally mounted at one end of the module. As will be understood, a similar pair of legs may be mounted at the other end of the module. Those legs may be pivoted upwardly in use to support another module 20 positioned above and spaced from the module as shown in the drawing, or the module may be turned the other way up and the support legs used to support that module. For transportation, the legs can be pivoted to a position alongside a face of the module enabling the module to be transported easily and to be handled by its ISO corner fittings.

Fig. 2B illustrates a variation to the arrangement of Fig. 2A in that the axis of pivoting of the legs is turned through a right angle. As shown, support can be provided along the length of the module. It is of course possible to provide both support legs of the kind shown in Fig. 2A and support legs of the kind shown in Fig. 2B on one module. In Fig. 2C, the interconnection module 20 is provided with a pair of detachable posts 26 which, as shown, may form part of an end panel 27. The posts may be fastenable to the end of the module 20 with the panel extending perpendicular to the module and thereby providing support in a manner similar to the legs 21 when they are pivoted out to the perpendicular position.

Fig. 3 shows an interconnection module 200 which is of standard ISO container width (2.438 m) , but may be of a greater width up to for example 5.000 m, at its ends but of reduced width along nearly all of its length. A module of this kind is particularly useful as a vertical interconnection module since it can readily be secured to an accommodation module above and/or below whilst still allowing space for the end of a transverse interconnection module to rest on the top of an accommodation module immediately below. Because the interconnection module 200 is of standard width at its ends, it can readily be fastened to another module of standard width and can also readily be handled and transported by engaging its ISO corner fittings.

Fig. 3A shows an interconnection module similar to the module 200 shown in Fig. 3 but of standard ISO container width throughout its entire length. Fig. 4 shows a skeleton steel structure 300 from which an interconnection module may be formed. It will be seen that the steel structure defines a hollow interior space in which services can readily be placed.

In the description above reference has been made to examples based around modules that are of 2.438 m (8ft) width and 12.192 m (40ft) . Fig. 5 is a highly schematic diagram showing how different sizes of modules may be provided. For example, the width may be increased to 1.5 times the standard width (12ft) or to twice that width (16ft). The length may also be increased or reduced (for example to 20ft) . As described in our International patent application WO 2005/038155, for modules with width greater than the Standard width (8ft) , extra fastening elements designed to accept ISO handling and transporting equipment may be provided at other locations. Such fastening elements are referenced by numeral 205 in Fig. 5. Whilst various particular examples of the invention have been described with reference to the drawings, it will be understood that many other embodiments of the invention are possible. For example any of the modules 2, 3 shown with corrugated tops and sides may have flat tops and/or sides and/or may be of skeletal form.

The interconnection modules described above can also be used to construct buildings that do not include accommodation modules. Another possibility is to have accommodation modules on one side only and/or to have one or more sides that are open, using for example the panels or posts shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C. A high internal open space may for example be useful in a stadium, a workshop, a restaurant, a factory unit, a car park, a retail mall, a gymnasium, a sports hall, a production facility or a warehouse.

Claims

Claims :

1. A building including a multiplicity of building modules, the building modules including a plurality of accommodation modules, each accommodation module being hollow and defining a space of a size suitable for occupation by a person, and a plurality of interconnection modules, each interconnection module being of a height less than the accommodation modules and being disposed in a gap between two accommodation modules to span the gap.

2. A building according to claim 1, in which the interconnection modules are each of generally cuboidal shape .

3. A building according to claim 1 or 2, in which the interconnection modules are hollow.

4. A building according to claim 2 or 3, in which the interconnection modules include services.

5. A building according to any preceding claim, in which the interconnection modules include a vertical interconnection module which is disposed above a first accommodation module and below a second accommodation module, which spans the gap between the modules and which is connected to the first and second modules.

6. A building according to claim 5, in which the width of the vertical interconnection module is substantially the same as the width of the first and/or second accommodation module.

7. A building according to claim 5 or 6, in which the width of the vertical interconnection module is less than or greater than the width of the first and/or second accommodation module.

8. A building according to any preceding claim in which the interconnection modules include a transverse interconnection module which extends transversely between a third accommodation module and a fourth accommodation module and spans the gap between the third and fourth modules .

9. A building according to claim 8, in which the transverse interconnection module is elongate having a length greater than a width and the longitudinal axis of the module extends transversely between the third and fourth modules .

10. A building according to claim 8 or 9, in which the transverse interconnection module extends to a position overlying the footprint of the third and/or fourth module.

11. A building according to claim 8 or 9, in which the transverse interconnection module does not overly the footprint of the third or the fourth modules.

12. A building according to any of claims 8 to 11, in which there is open space below one or more of the interconnection modules.

13. A building according to claim 12, in which the open space has a height of at least one half the height of an accommodation module.

14. A building according to any of claims 8 to 13, in which the interconnection modules include a further transverse interconnection module which extends transversely between accommodation modules spanning a gap between them, the further transverse interconnection module overlying and spaced from the first-mentioned transverse interconnection module creating an open space between the transverse interconnection modules.

15. A building according to any preceding claim, in which the accommodation modules have fastening elements to allow for engagement by standard load handling equipment.

16. A building according to any preceding claim, in which at least some of the accommodation modules have a width of about 2.5m, corresponding approximately to the width of an ISO container.

17. A building according to any preceding claim, in which at least some of the accommodation modules have a width of about 1.5 times the width of an ISO container.

18. A building according to any preceding claim, in which at least some of the interconnection modules have fastening elements to allow for engagement by standard load handling equipment.

19. A building according to any preceding claim, in which at least some of the interconnection modules have a width of about 2.5m, corresponding approximately to the width of an ISO container.

20. A building according to any preceding claim, in which at least some of the interconnection modules have a width of about 1.5 times the width of an ISO container.

21. A building according to any preceding claim, in which the ratio of the width of at least some accommodation modules to the width of at least some interconnection modules is in the range of 0.95 to 1.2.

22. A building according to any of claims 1 to 20, in which the ratio of the width of at least some accommodation modules to the width of at least some interconnection modules is in the range of 1.4 to 1.6.

23. A building according to any preceding claim, in which one or more of the accommodation modules includes a toilet.

24. A building module substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. An interconnection module suitable for use in a building according to any preceding claim.

26. An interconnection module for mounting in a building between two accommodation modules, the interconnection module being hollow and of generally cuboidal shape.

27. An interconnection module according to claim 25 or 26, in which the module is provided with fastening elements to allow for engagement by standard load handling equipment.

28. An interconnection module according to any of claims 25 to 27, in which the module has a width of about 2.5m, corresponding approximately to the width of an ISO container.

29. An interconnection module according to any of claims 25 to 27, in which the module has a width of about 1.5 times the width of an ISO container.

30. An interconnection module according to any of claims 25 to 29, in which the module includes one or more services .

31. An interconnection module according to claim 30, in which the services include services entering a side or end face of the module and leaving a different side or end face of the module.

32. An interconnection module according to claim 30, in which the services include services entering at a top face of the module and leaving at a bottom face of the module or vice versa.

33. An interconnection module according to claim 30 or 31, in which the module includes one or more of a floor, a ceiling, insulation and a fire break.

34. An interconnection module substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of constructing a building at a site, the method comprising the following steps: fabricating a plurality of accommodation modules and transporting the modules to the site, fabricating a plurality of interconnection modules and transporting the modules to the site, assembling the modules into a building in which each interconnection module is disposed in a gap between two accommodation modules to span the gap.