FLEXIBLE MODULAR BUILDING FRAMEWORK
A building framework includes metal columns (e.g., tubular or I-beam), wood-product beams, and bracket connectors for joining the beams to the columns to form a building joint of sufficient strength and durability for buildings suitable for human occupation. First mechanical fasteners (such as bolts and nuts) secure a selected connector to the column, and second mechanical fasteners (such as lag bolts) secure a selected beam to the connector. The columns include double rows of holes. A plurality of different connectors with differently angled flanges are provided, such that beams can be connected at a wide variety of different angles. Further, the system allows columns and/or beams to be cut at the construction site, or at a building supply company. Thus, basic building components can be inventoried in a manner not previously possible, yet the system supports a wide variety of different building frames for on-site customization and adaptability.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 60/887,461, filed Jan. 31, 2007, entitled FLEXIBLE MODULAR BUILDING FRAMEWORK, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to a building framework made from columns, beams, and bracket connectors, where the components are fastened together in a manner allowing flexible, low-cost, on-site adaptability when constructing a building. Further, the present invention relates to a building framework made from columns, beams, and bracket connectors, where the columns and beams are basic components that can be stocked and cut to length at a supply company or at a construction site, and where the bracket connectors can be selected to allow assembly for customized buildings suitable for human occupancy.
Buildings have been made of block and wood (sometimes called “bricks and sticks”) for years. Part of the attraction of these building materials is their flexibility of use and adaptability. However, different architectural designs require skilled workers and specialized tools for proper installation and to achieve an attractive look. This results in considerable on-site construction cost and time due to the need for skilled labor. A system for building frames is desired that is flexible enough to allow customization, yet that simplifies construction, requires fewer skilled tradesmen for construction, and that takes maximum advantage of mass production of basic components. Further, a building system is desired that allows lower-skilled construction workers (e.g., the homeowner himself) to make adaptations at the construction site. Still further, a building system is desired that allows fixing, retrofitting, refurbishing, and/or expansion of a building without major work to enable connection to an existing building. Also, a building system is desired that allows building supply companies to inventory a more basic set of components . . . instead of having to inventory a large number of different parts and pieces for various building designs.
As noted above, constructing building frames using metal structural members, such as tubes, I-beams, and angle iron, have been around for some time. Most all junctures for metal building beams require a welded piece (or pieces) to make the juncture. The traditional way of cutting steel has been with a saw that cuts in one plane, and that starts cutting from a side or end location on the beam. After cutting, a plate with holes is welded to the end of the cut tube for attachment to another beam, such as with threaded fasteners. Notably the plate with holes must be accurately located on the associated beam, and also the welding must be high-quality, since it is important that the assembled/connected beam arrangement not over-stress the welds or over-stress the junctions. This is necessary to avoid stress fractures around the welds and junction failures over time, given normal cyclical loading and environmental stress (i.e., wind, etc.) on building structures. Also, it is noted that welding is a secondary operation that is expensive, time-consuming, manually-intensive, and that requires significant quality assurance to insure that quality long-lasting welds are made. It is noted that welded metal beams are not easily adapted, but instead must be accurately made to specification, which results in every construction having custom-configured or nearly-custom-configured components. It is not cost-effective for most building supply companies to inventory a large number of these “configured components” since such a large number of them would be required.
It is essential in construction of frames for large buildings that the junctures have sufficient structure and stress distribution to meet building codes. This requires that the juncture components not just be loosely slip-fit together, but instead that each juncture be dimensionally accurate to form a tight stress-distributing fit. This is important so that assembled/connected beam arrangements don't concentrate stress on a juncture unacceptably . . . since welds and weld-adjacent beam walls can develop stress cracks and fail over time. In traditional welded steel beam constructions (e.g., plates welded to ends of columns), it is difficult to form highly accurate joints using traditional saw cutting operations, since saw blades tend to wander and wear, making them difficult to control with high accuracy. Other factors also affect inconsistent cutting, such as the need to repeatedly loosen and re-fixture a tubular beam for successive cuts. All of this leads to inconsistent cut locations and higher-than-desired tolerances, which in turn leads to additional concerns about juncture stresses and integrity of junctures in an assembled/connected beam arrangement of building structures.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention focuses on flexible modular building structures with different junctures for use in a building frame, where the structures can be assembled by bolting beams together. Separate connectors are used to connect wood-product beams to tubular metal columns, with the connectors defining an angle of the beams to the columns. By the present invention, separate brackets do not need to be welded to the beam ends. The present invention saves considerable cost by reducing separate components, by reducing the use of skilled manpower, by reducing secondary operations, and by making for a more efficient assembly, including the ability to make adaptations at the construction site. Further, a more basic set of components can be inventoried at a common location, such as at a building supply company, thus making it more likely that necessary building supplies are available yet at a reasonable cost.
In one aspect of the present invention, a building framework includes metal columns preformed with holes, wood-product beams, and connectors for joining the beams to the columns to form a building joint of sufficient strength and durability for buildings suitable for humans. First fasteners (such as bolts and nuts) secure a selected connector to the column, and second fasteners (such as lag bolts) secure a selected beam to the connector at a desired orientation.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of construction includes providing metal columns preformed with holes, wood-product beams, and a plurality of different connectors for joining the beams to the columns. The method further includes assembling the arrangement using selected connectors and mechanical fasteners.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of construction includes providing metal columns preformed with holes, wood-product beams, and a plurality of different connectors for joining the beams to the columns. The method further includes cutting the columns and beams at the construction site, and assembling the arrangement using selected connectors and fasteners.
An object is to provide a more flexible building system with standardized components (including columns, beams, and connectors) that can be regionally stocked and field modified to create almost any shape of building. The frames can be built structurally in three dimensions by making simple cuts on wood-product beams (such as glulam timbers). Steel columns can be cut to length (i.e., sized) with a metal saw in the field. There is no need for field welding. The building frame simply bolts and screws together.
In a preferred form, this system uses structural insulated panels (SIPs) for forming walls. (See Porter U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,157 regarding SIPs.) The SIPs are also sized for ease of stocking, handling, and availability of pre-finished surfaces. SIPs are easily field-cut or may come precut from the factory with openings for windows and doors.
In one aspect, the present invention concerns a connector that structurally connects wood-product beams to metal columns. The connection is not just a hanger, but instead is structural and includes torsional and lineal loading strength.
In another aspect, the present invention concerns a steel column with a double row of holes for connection. The double row of holes allows for strategic placement and attachment of beams due to load direction, and/or proximity to a wall.
In another aspect, the present invention concerns a standardized column capable of accepting beams to make customized housing, yet without the complexity and complications of customized frame members. Instead, a more standardized basic set of components can be used to construct the building frame, yet allowing customization.
The combination of steel columns, wood-product beams (e.g., glulam beams), and a plurality of structural connectors is novel, and is believed to provide surprising and unexpected results in terms of supporting construction of a strong building frame suitable for human occupancy (i.e., meets building codes), yet allows customization and also allows use of basic components that can be cut to length at a local supply company or cut to length on site. This combination allows the building frame to include exposed wood trusses for optimal appearance and aesthetics. It also provides a versatile attachment to the steel tube columns. It also provides a plurality of bracket connectors that are structural, and that provide more than mere hanging of a truss. The bracket connectors screw up tight to opposing sides of the wood-product beams (e.g., glulam beams), even with width variation of the beams, thus allowing a tight connection for optimal torsional strength despite width variations of the beams.
The present invention includes extender connectors, allowing columns of predetermined length to be combined to reach longer dimensions. Thus, the present system supports multi-story constructions, including multi-floor housing and also towers. Further, the present system supports housing raised up and supported by stilts, such as for building in a flood plane.
The present invention combines with structural insulated panels (SIPs) to provide a building system that is well insulated, highly cost-effective in material cost and construction cost, and yet that is flexible to support customization and individualization of the housing structure.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
A building frame 150 (
In the building illustrated in
It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill, upon reading the discussion above and below, that by selecting different connectors, trusses with different pitches can be secured to the columns to form a wide variety of different building frames. Further, by cutting the metal columns to length or by adding extender columns, the columns can be “adjusted” on-site to allow the building to fit any foundation and ground layout. Also, since the metal columns can be cut to length and also extended by using extender columns 170 and extender bracketry 171, a wide variety of “building adjustments” can be made at the construction site, which is particularly advantageous when building in a remote area or when access to skilled tradesmen is limited. Further, a building supply company (or a building site itself) can inventory standardized lengths while still supporting the construction of many different building designs.
The illustrated column 151 (
The illustrated column 151 also includes access openings 173 (
The column 151 can be secured to a foundation in various ways. The illustrated column 151 in
The illustrated beams 153-157 (
The connector 162 (
A plate 187 with holes 188 matching the pattern of holes 184 is adapted to fit into the cavity of column 151. A second plate 190 includes tack-welded-in-place bolts 191 (i.e., “fasteners”) arranged to fit through holes 184 and 188 and through selected holes 152 in a column 151. Washers and nuts 192 (i.e., “fasteners”) can be threaded onto the threaded shaft of the bolts 191 (via access through access opening 173) to secure the brackets 182 and 182′ to the column 151. The end of beam 154 is then positioned between the brackets 182 and 182′, and lag bolts 193 (i.e., “fasteners”) are extended through the holes 186 into the beam 154. The brackets 182 and 182′ combine to form a connector 162 with the flanges 183 extending at a desired (upward) angle to define a pocket for receiving the end of the beam 154. The pocket formed by the brackets 182 and 182′ is aligned with a longitudinal direction of the beam 154 for optimal structural support. Further, the holes 184 are slightly oversized or slotted to allow the bracket connectors 162 and 162′ to be clamped tight against sides of the beam 154. Thus, the brackets 182-182′ can be moved toward each other, so that the flanges 183 closely engage the side surfaces of the beam 154, which is required for optimal stress distribution and joint strength necessary in buildings to meet building codes for human-occupied buildings. It is contemplated that a variety of different fasteners can be used to secure the wood-product components to the connectors, including screws, threaded bolts and nuts, lag bolts, nails, pins, shear collars, and other means.
The connector 163 (
By using the present building system, a plurality of entire bents 165 (
Columns 151 can be extended by the extender bracketry 171 (
If desired, the structure around the lag bolts 218 can be modified for increased stress distribution and strength. For example, one way is to form a pocket 220 (
It is contemplated that a variety of different connectors can be constructed, including connectors for making a hip roof or for making a polygonal-shaped building. For example, connector 225 (
A plurality of different bracket connectors and columns can be provided. For example,
The above concepts provide a building system that is particularly flexible, adaptable on-site, and yet that allows standardized basic components to be inventoried in a way not previously possible. For example, a variety of different polygonal buildings 150B (
Further, by using the extender bracketry 171 (
From the above concepts, it will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in this art that a variety of different bents can be constructed, simply by providing different sets of connectors, beams, and columns . . . yet while still maintaining a manageable size of inventory of basic components. For example,
Notably, in the above building frames, the wood-product beams can be left visible, thus providing an attractive appearance to the building while still allowing the building frame to take advantage of a strength of the beams. The wood-product beams can be cut on-site, or cut at a building supply company, allowing flexibility in a way not previously found in building materials for building frames.
The present system can be used with any type wood-product beams. The most common glulam beams are 3″×5″ wide Southern Yellow Pine beams. Depth varies from 6⅞″ to 26⅛″ in 1⅜″ increments. In a preferred form, the column hole spacing is double the 1⅜″ increment at 2¾″ vertically. It is contemplated that 3 inch wide glulam beams are used primarily for the top plates 166, which are the beams running horizontally at a top of the columns. 5 inch glulam beams are used for floor beams and roof beams. Trusses include multiple beams, such as by using 5 inch wide stock. Structural engineers can design standard and custom truss designs that will work well with the present system.
The present system is called the “ADAPT” system, because of its great ability to adapt to building situations and construction needs. The square columns with multiple holes easily accommodate buildings of various heights. The columns allow offshoots in four directions (i.e., directions perpendicular to sides of the column) as well as in other angles (i.e., directions extending from corners of the column). Wood-product beams can be easily cut to length to accommodate span requirements. Column connectors are supplied in a wide variety of angles to accommodate various roof pitches and truss configurations.
By attaching structural insulated panels (SIPs) to exterior sides of the building frames, a substantially complete and well insulated building can be quickly and easily constructed. This leads to a quicker construction process, and also a process that allow all associated tradespersons and subcontractors to begin work on interior walls, electrical systems, plumbing, drywall, and finish carpentry sooner. An object is to provide a more flexible building system with standardized components (including columns, beams, and connectors) can be regionally stocked and field modified to create almost any shape of building. The frames can be built structurally in three dimensions by making simple cuts on wood product beams (such as glulam timbers). Steel columns can be cut to length (i.e., sized) with a metal saw in the field. There is no need for field welding. The building frame simply bolts and screws together.
In a preferred form, this system uses structural insulated panels (SIPs) for forming walls. (See Porter U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,157 regarding SIPs.) The SIPs are also sized for ease of stocking, handling, and availability of pre-finished surfaces. SIPs are easily field-cut or may come precut from the factory with openings for windows and doors.
A significant aspect of the present concept is that the bracket connectors structurally connect wood product beams to the metal columns. The connection is not just a hanger, but instead is structural and includes torsional and lineal loading strength.
Another significant aspect are the steel tubular columns with a double row of holes for connection. The double row of holes allow for strategic placement and attachment of beams due to load direction, and/or proximity to a wall.
Another significant aspect concerns the use of standardized columns capable of accepting beams to make customized housing, yet without the complexity and complications of customized frame members. Instead, a more standardized basic set of components can be used to construct the building frame, yet allowing customization.
The combination of tube steel columns, wood-product beams (e.g., glulam beams), and a plurality of structural connectors is novel, and is believed to provide surprising and unexpected results in terms of supporting construction of a strong building frame suitable for human occupancy (i.e., meets building codes), yet allows customization and also allows use of basic components that can be cut to length at a local supply company or cut to length on site. This combination allows the building frame to include exposed wood trusses for optimal appearance and aesthetics. It also provides a versatile attachment to the steel tube columns. It also provides a plurality of bracket connectors that are structural, and that provide more than mere hanging of a truss. The bracket connectors screw up tight to opposing sides of the wood product beams (e.g., glulam beams), even with width variation of the beams, thus allowing a tight connection for optimal torsional strength despite width variations of the beams.
Another significant aspect are the extender connectors, which allow columns of predetermined length to be combined to reach longer dimensions. Thus, the present system supports multi-story constructions, including multi-floor housing and also towers. Further, the present system supports housing raised up and supported by stilts, such as for building in a floor plane.
As noted above, the present invention combines particularly well with structural insulated panels (SIPs) to provide a building system that is well insulated, highly cost-effective in material cost and construction cost, and yet that is flexible to support customization and individualization of the housing structure.
Additional modified building constructions using modified components are shown below, with similar and identical components and features identified using the same identification numbers but with the addition of letters “H,” “J,” “K,” etc. This is done to reduce redundant discussion, and to help provide an understanding of the present innovative concepts.
I have discovered that a modified building frame 150H (
The column 151H (
An advantage of this I-beam construction is that access holes are not required to access a closed interior. (I.e. the I-beam does not include a closed cavity like the tubular column). Further, I-beams are potentially cheaper for raw material and yet have a suitable strength in the intended environment of buildings suitable for human occupancy. Still further, where the I-beam columns are used as stilts to space the building above a ground surface (see
The extender brackets 200K abuttingly engage aligned apertured flanges of the I-beam columns 151K and 151K′ (
It is contemplated that the bracket 182K could be replaced with an elongated I-beam configured to replace the glulam beam 154K. Specifically, the I-beam portion 260K would be extended to whatever length is necessary to replace the glulam beam (154K) required. For example, the I-beam could be used for floors, while the wood beam would be used for rafters and top plates of walls.
As will be recognized by persons skilled in building construction, buildings can be constructed using the present system that meet local building codes, including those codes in major cities such as Chicago, yet the buildings can be constructed with a custom look and to meet individual preference.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A building frame comprising:
- metal columns with preformed holes;
- wood-product beams;
- connectors with a first surface matably engaging a selected area on one of the columns and a second surface matably engaging an end of a selected one of the wood-product beams;
- first mechanical fasteners for securing the connector to the selected area using the holes; and
- second mechanical fasteners for securing the connector to the end of the selected beam.
2. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the preformed holes form a continuous and regular pattern along a length of the columns.
3. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the pattern includes two vertical rows.
4. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the columns include four flat sides, each of which includes at least one vertical row of the holes.
5. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the wood-product beams include wood board.
6. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the wood-product beams include bonded wood particles.
7. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the wood-product beams include glulam.
8. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the connectors are formed from sheet metal.
9. The building frame defined in claim 8, wherein each connector includes two opposing brackets.
10. The building frame defined in claim 8, wherein the opposing brackets each have a base flange engaging a side of one of the columns and a second flange oriented toward an angle defined by a length of the beam that is engaged.
11. The building frame defined in claim 10, wherein the base flanges each include second holes that align with the preformed holes in the column.
12. The building frame defined in claim 10, wherein the base flanges each include slots that permit adjustment of the opposing brackets tight against the beam that is engaged.
13. The building frame defined in claim 12, including a plate within the column with third holes that align with the second holes in the base flange.
14. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the first fasteners include bolts and nuts.
15. The building frame defined in claim 14, wherein the second fasteners include lag bolts.
16. The building frame defined in claim 1, including an extender column and an extender bracketry for connecting the extender column to an associated second one of the columns in an aligned stable position.
17. The building frame defined in claim 16, wherein the extender bracketry includes internal plates for engaging the extender column and the associated second column.
18. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the columns are tubular and include access holes on at least one side for manipulating fasteners within the column.
19. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the connectors include corner connectors adapted to attach to a corner of the column.
20. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the connectors include at least two different connectors for engaging beams at different horizontal angles.
21. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the column material includes structural steel forming an I-beam shape.
22. The building frame defined in claim 1, wherein the columns are steel, and the beams are one of roof rafters and wall top plates.
23. The building frame defined in claim 1, including structural insulated panels attached to the beams using long screws to form a roof.
24. A building comprising the building frame defined in claim 1 and further where the columns have an I beam shape, with at least a portion of an exterior surface of the columns being exposed for routine maintenance such as for termite prevention.
25. A building frame comprising:
- a metal column with flat sides, a pair of spaced-apart parallel flanges extending from at least one side, the flanges each having a plurality of holes, the flanges defining an elongated pocket therebetween with a longitudinal centerline that extends at an acute angle to a horizontal plane;
- a wood-product beam with an end shaped to closely fit into the pocket and engage an inside of both flanges; and
- fasteners extended through the holes in the flanges and into the beam end for securing the flanges tight against the flanges and to the column with sufficient strength to form a frame joint for the building frame.
26. The building frame defined in claim 25, including a connector mechanically attached to the column, the connector incorporating the flanges.
27. A method of constructing a building frame comprising steps of:
- providing a plurality of metal columns with preformed holes;
- providing a plurality of wood-product beams;
- selecting a connector from a plurality of connectors with first and second surfaces;
- selectively positioning the first surface of the selected connector matably against a selected area on one of the columns and selectively positioning the second surface matably against an end of a selected one of the wood-product beams;
- securing the selected connector to the selected area; and
- securing the selected connector to the end of the selected beam.
28. The method defined in claim 27, including cutting a selected column to a desired length.
29. The method defined in claim 27, including cutting a selected beam to a desired length.
30. A method of constructing a building frame comprising steps of:
- providing a plurality of metal columns with preformed holes;
- providing a plurality of wood-product beams;
- providing a plurality of different connectors for interconnecting a selected one beam to a selected one column at a desired non-horizontal angle;
- cutting the selected beam and selected column to desired lengths; and
- selecting a desired connector and connecting the selected beam to the selected column with the selected beam extending at the desired non-horizontal angle.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2008
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2008
Inventor: William H. Porter (Saugatuck, MI)
Application Number: 12/019,992
International Classification: E04B 1/19 (20060101); E04G 21/14 (20060101);