Modular Box Structure
This invention provides a different way to build habitable structures that are quick to erect, cost effective, easily expandable, and are in compliance with most building codes. Instead of stick framing a structure on site, this invention uses modular self-supporting box frames to build a structure by placing the box frames next to each other. The box frames have openings on all sides and are easily attached to each other. The outside openings are closed in with door and window panels, making a good dwelling unit that is easily expandable by adding more box frames to the structure. The box-frame is collapsible to make transportation easier, with all panels shipped flat. The panels for the box-fames are built at a factory, then shipped to and erected on site. This saves a lot on time and cost of construction.
This invention relates to construction of habitable buildings that are quick to assemble and cost effective. The components of such buildings are built in the factory, then shipped to and assembled on site.
2. Description of Related ArtThis invention provides another way to build a habitable structure.
Stick framing a structure on site is very costly and usually takes more than a year to build. This is the usual way homes are built today.
Other ways like mobile homes and sectional homes, are factory made and transported to site. However they are bulky and hard to transport due to their width.
Container or trailer type homes are smaller and are easier to transport. However they are hard to expand. One cannot put two or more trailers together to provide more space.
This invention solves the problem of transportation and expansion of modular homes. It provides a different way to build any size home, that is quicker and cheaper than conventional stick framing of a building. The benefits of this invention are listed below.
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- 1. All the building panels are prefabricated in a factory, saving on the cost of construction.
- 2. Because the floors, walls, and roof are factory made, the assembling of a structure takes only weeks instead of years.
- 3. The panels are made to standard container width to make it easier to transport.
- 4. The wall panels are foldable and fit within the folded trailer box. This way it takes up less space during transport.
- 5. All wall, floor and roof panels are built to meet the Building Codes. This makes getting the building permitted by the City a lot easier.
- 6. The panels when put together form a covered, self-supporting trailer-box that can be habitable.
- 7. These trailer-boxes could be placed next to each other to form any size 1-story building.
- 8. The trailers boxes could also be stacked to form 2 or 3-story buildings.
- 9. The bathrooms and kitchens could be built and shipped separately, all enclosed with fixtures; or built on site within the trailer box structure.
This invention provides a different way to build a habitable structure. Our structure is built out of factory made box frames that are placed next to each other to form a building. The box frames consist of a floor panel, a bubble type roof panel, and eight shear wall panels that support the roof panel and resist the lateral loads. Our box frame is collapsible to make transportation easier. When put together the panels form a free standing box, which is structurally sound and meets most state building codes. The box frame has a three feet openings on each of the narrow sides, and large foot openings on the wide sides. Those openings call be filled in with pre-fabricated window, door, and wall panels as needed to enclose the structure, or left open when combining two or more of these box frames to build a larger structure. By properly placing these box frames next to each other, one can build any size or shape structure that they wish.
The floor, roof and wall panels are built with 2× and 4× lumber, CDX plywood and siding, nailed together, waterproofed, and insulated per Building codes at the factory. The shear and the outside wall panels are shipped with-in the empty space between floor and roof panels. Collapsed, the box frame is only 30″ high, making it easier to transport. The box frames are transported to jobsite by trucks and erected by use of lift cranes.
In the field the box frames are assembled and placed next to each other to form a desired structure. The box frames can sit on the ground or on a concrete footing that was designed to support the shear walls. The box frames are attached to concrete with foundation bolts and interconnected by metal straps and plywood.
The box frames can also be stacked. This enables a designer to erect two and even three-story buildings using our box frames. Additional hold downs are required, footing pads need to be thickened, and stairs built to access upper floors. The bathrooms and kitchens can be factory-built and attached to the building, or built later within the erected structure.
This invention show how our floor panels, roof panels, shear walls and moment frames are made, and how a structure out of our box frames is put together. The moment frame permits a designer to relocate shear walls and open up floor space without lessening the structural integrity of the building.
This invention provides another way to make any size habitable structure per present building code. Instead of stick-framing a structure on site, the structure is built out of factory made free-standing roofed box frames (
For ease in transporting, the box frames (
The floor panel (
The modified floor panel (
The roof panel (
The shear walls panels (
The moment frame design (
When properly put together, the floor plate (2), shear walls (4), moment frame (5) and roof panel (3) form a strong rectangular box (
The box frames (
Claims
1. I claim a collapsible box structure that is built to building code standards and comprising of;
- a. a floor panel, and
- b. a roof panel, and
- c. multiple shear wall panels that support the said roof panel, and
- d. wood moment frames that also supports the said roof and floor panels,
2. I claim a method of building 1-story structures, whereby the box structures of claim 1 are placed next to each other to form a much larger habitable structure, and
3. I claim a method of building 2 and 3-story structures, whereby the box structures of claim 1 are stacked one on top of the other to form multi-story habitable buildings.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 18, 2022
Publication Date: Apr 25, 2024
Inventor: Simon Bassein (west Hollywood, CA)
Application Number: 18/047,996