Fully integrated precast concrete construction including provisions for insulation and all services-HVAC, plumbing, lighting etc.
The integrated precast building system provides for all construction elements. The walls, floor, and roof form an integrated structure of module length (FIG. 3). Passages for HVAC, electrical wiring and piping are provided. Inserts for decorative panels and lighting are easily installed and removed. The sloped roof requires no covering. A flat roof can be made with the floor panel but the roof would not be as waterproof as the recommended sloped roof. The system is applicable to homes thru large commercial buildings. The building goes together faster and is completed quicker because all details of the structure are integrated. Life cycle costs are minimized because the structural elements need no painting and do not deteriorate. The basic structure is fireproof. Modifications are easy. Removing the inserts, installing the changes and replacing the inserts facilitate modifications. The buildings can withstand earthquake 4 requirements when post tensioned.
NONE
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNONE
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNONE
1. Prior Art
1. U.S. Pat. No. 1,123,261 Jan . 5, 1915 by T. A. Edison
Mold for Concrete Construction
This is the best example of fully integrated building system to date. It wasn't precast but was cast as one unit in a single pour. The model shown at the Edison National Historic Site shows how the building was to look. The nearest example of the model home is 18 concrete homes built about 1915 in Newark, Ohio. They are similar in appearance to the model but the construction is not with the Edison forms. About the same time 1919, cement homes were built in one day using wood forms in Union, N.J. All of the houses are still lived in and the owners in Newark, Ohio are very happy with their homes.
The homes were not insulated and did not provide for utilities. Edison could not give away the patent because the cost of the forms precluded making a profit. No historical record was found of how the Newark, Ohio homes were constructed but the developer was purported to be a friend of Edison and some of Edison's forms may have been used. Conventional large concrete blocks were used in the foundation work. The owners of the Union, N.J. homes complain of leaky roofs. This is not surprising because the roofs were flat.
2. U.S. Pat. No. 1,144,038 Sep. 28, 1915 by W. C. Broughton—Concrete Building.
This is an example of a simple concrete structure made of precast concrete parts. It is not reinforced to modern standards and has no provisions for utilities.
3. U.S. Pat. No. 1,479,557 Jan. 1, 1924 by W. R. Raymond—Building Construction.
This is another example of simple concrete construction. It is makes no provisions for utilities.
4. U.S. Pat. No. 1,924,801 Aug. 29, 1933 by R. C. Olmsted—Concrete building
This is a more advanced precast concrete system. It makes no provisions for utilities or insulation.
5. U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,984 Feb. 7, 1978 by Larrow—House assembly with prefabricated elements.
This is a more advanced system that does make provisions for insulation but not utilities. It would not pass the latest earthquake requirements. It is not fireproof and is not of cast elements of precast concrete.
6. U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,333 Sep. 19, 1978 by Jones et al.—Wall Panel Unit
This is a limited use panel and does not represent an integrated building system.
7. U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,971 Dec. 5, 1978 BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF PRECAST L-SHAPED CONCRETE UNITS.
This is a limited system for one-story buildings. It makes no provisions for insulation or utilities. It is not earthquake resistant or adapted to a wide range of structures.
8. U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,340 Mar. 6, 1979 by Howard BUILDING ENCLOSURE MADE FROM STANDARD CONSTRUCTION UNIT IN SIDE WALLS AND ROOF DECK
This is another limited system for one-story buildings. It makes no provision for insulation or utilities. It is not earthquake resistant or adapted to a wide range of structures.
9. U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,941 Jun. 26, 1979 by Silvio Diano PRECAST BUILDING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY
This is a circular structure that makes no provision of insulation or utilities. A much superior circular precast structure was built in the early 60s by Don Johnson (Architect and builder) which required no central support but joined the roof sections by a post tensioned circular beam. Don has built several precast circular buildings but they were not fully integrated with built in channels for utilities. Circular buildings are difficult to scale and forms have to be built for each diameter. This is very limiting and costly.
10. U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,767 Feb. 24,1981 by Matthew R. Piazza, Nichols; David E. Zimmer COMPOSITE BUILDING MODULE
This system makes no provision for utilities. It is not earthquake proof. It has very limited applicability.
11. U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,240 Jun. 2, 1987 by Gluseppe Amormino PRECAST REINFORCED WALL PANELS AND METHOD OF ERECTING SAME.
This system makes no provision for utilities. It is not earthquake proof. It has very limited applicability.
12. U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,554 Dec. 17, 1991 by Lowell K. Hayman PREFABRICATED MODULAR STORAGE BUILDING
This is a limited system for buildings that makes no provisions for insulation or utilities.
13. U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,604 Apr. 14, 1992 by William Teron MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEMS
This is an expansion of patent 4,127,971 and is a small improvement but makes no provision for insulation or utilities except at special modules. It is not a complete building system and would not be earthquake resistant.
14. U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,552 Sep. 29, 1992 by Davis-Arzac BUILDING SYSTEM FOR EXTENSION OF PROGRESSIVE HOUSING
This is a limited application system for building extensions.
15. U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,191 Jun. 27, 1993 by Paul Mayrand PRECAST CONCRETE PANEL FOR PREFABRICATED BUILDING STRUCTURE
This is a sophisticated wall system that combines with floor slabs to erect buildings. Provision for utilities and rework after construction is not provided. Connections do not seem to be strong enough to meet earthquake 4 requirements.
16. U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,845 Aug. 15,1995 by Maher K. Tadros; David C. Salmon; Amin Einea; Todd D. Culp PRECAST CONCRETE SANDWITCH PANELS
This is not a building system. It is a complex wall structure that would require skilled labor to construct.
17. U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,189 Dec. 16, 1997 by John F. Miller; Andrew J Miller LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATED CONCRETE WALL
This is not a building system. It is a complex wall structure that would Require skilled labor to construct.
18. U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,319 Jun. 20, 2000 by Gary K. Hendershot, Gregory E. Cook PRECAST CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD
This is an elaborate system that makes no provision for insulation and utilities. Erection is not simple and connections are varied and may not meet earthquake 4 requirements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS and ADVANTAGES1. Satisfy the needs of buildings from modest homes through multistory commercial buildings of the most common configurations.
2. Be fireproof.
3. Be compatible with earthquake prone locations without extensive modifications.
4. Blend well with existing structures at the building locations.
5. Provide the ability to have unique appearances that will be attractive and useful.
6. Allow the owners considerable choices for customizing the appearance and functionality of the building.
7. Require minimum maintenance.
8. Initial construction cost shall be no more than existing construction as a requirement and considerably less than conventional as a goal.
9. Construction time is minimized.
10. Skilled craftsmen requirements are minimized.
11. Training of the construction crew is easily accomplished with workmen of minimum skills supervised by a permanent small skilled workforce.
12. Quality control shall be inherent in the process and easily inspected.
13. All system elements shall be compatible with the uniform building code.
14. Structural members shall provide the finished surfaces of the building. No cladding shall be required.
15. The floors and roofs shall be free span up to 42 feet. Larger spans are possible but not considered. For very large free span buildings other building systems are more appropriate.
16. Insulation shall be designed into the structural modules.
17. Doors and windows openings shall be precision sized with all surfaces finished during the casting process.
18. Lighting shall be indirect, efficient and capable of adequate switching.
19. The electrical system is designed into the structural modules.
20. HVAC shall be incorporated into the building design and not tacked on later. All ductwork, controls etc. shall be included in the detail design of the building.
21. The system uses a seven-foot module but other modules could be accommodated. The uniqueness of the system is in its completeness and not in the module size.
22. The basic modules are wall, floor and roof.
23. The system can be erected in 7-foot increments up to 42 foot in width. The length of the building is N×7 feet.
24. The roof can be flat or sloped. The sloped roof can be designed to any desired pitch. No roof covering is required for any slope over 2/12. The roof life is unlimited and maintenance free. The preferred embodiment shows a 4/12 slope.
25. The foundation is designed for each site and depends on soil conditions, height of the building and other building unique features. It will be part of each building unique engineering design certification.
26. Cavities under the basement floor and in the building modules provide connectivity for all the utilities, electrical, HVAC, and communications.
Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
SUMMARY1. The building system is fully integrated. Walls, floors, and roof are designed to join each other and provide passages for heating, lighting, air conditioning, and plumbing. Such passages can be used after the building is finished. Modifications can use the wall, roof and floor passages for economical changes without disturbing the existing building tenants. Lighting fixtures are designed to fit the floor and roof modules. Floor, and roof coffers are designed to receive the lighting fixtures and standard decorative ceiling tile. Wall coffers can receive decorative panels of varying designs. All modules can receive electrical outlets, switches, etc.
2. All structural elements of the building are fireproof.
3. The building system can produce multiple types of buildings from homes to high rise buildings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 1.
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b. FIG 15b—Cathedral ceiling light
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Conclusion, Ramification, Scope
The invention is an integrated building system that will cut construction costs, reduce lifetime costs and greatly reduce modification costs. The basic structure is fireproof and makes provisions for HVAC, lighting, plumbing and most surface finishing techniques.
The system is applicable to most residential and commercial construction. It requires a reasonable sized project to accommodate construction on site. The cost of setup and termination must be factored into the overall cost of the project. The forms and machinery would be moved from project to project and their cost amortized over the life of the forms and machinery. All maintenance supplies, engineering, labor and site dependent costs would be charged to each project. Low cost housing would be possible with the system and would make many projects cost effective. Standard and luxury projects would benefit by providing many extras at the cost of comparable projects without the extras. All projects would benefit by extended life and durability of the concrete structure.
The scope of the system is universal and when demonstrated would be imitated. A major change in building technique is required as land becomes more costly and the population grows. Present demand is great but the cost for first time homebuyers is a real barrier to good housing. Many commercial enterprises would benefit by lower cost buildings and insurance reductions because of the buildings basic fire resistance and durability. Changes in usage would be accommodated easily and encourage business to modify their operations for greater efficiency.
Claims
1. The building system is fullly integrated. Walls, floors, and roof are designed to join each other and provide passages for heating, lighting, air conditioning, and plumbing. Such passages can be used after the building is finished. Modifications can use these passages for economical changes without disturbing the existing building.
2. All structural elements of the building are fireproof
3. The building system can produce multiple types of buildings from homes to high rise buildings.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 12, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 13, 2006
Inventor: Thomas Summers (Bountiful, UT)
Application Number: 11/037,779
International Classification: E04B 1/00 (20060101);