Distinct Vertical Tie Patents (Class 52/79.13)
  • Patent number: 11149429
    Abstract: A modular room includes a floor having an upper surface, and a lower surface. The floor defines a floor height between the upper surface and the lower surface, and the floor defines a through aperture. At least three walls have a lower end connected to the floor and an upper end extend away from the floor, a ceiling is connected to the upper end of the walls, and a drain body is positioned in the floor aperture. The drain body has an upper surface and a lower surface and defines a drain body height between the upper and lower surfaces. The drain body height is less than the floor height, such that the drain body does not extend above the upper surface of the floor or below the lower surface of the flow while the drain body is positioned in the aperture in the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Gomo, Robert Anthony DiPlacido, Michael Thomas Benesh, Christopher J. Say, John Matthew Lawrence
  • Patent number: 11118348
    Abstract: A panel system configured to be attached to vertically adjacent panels systems includes a frame having a top track, a bottom track and a plurality of generally vertical members extending between the top track and the bottom track. The panel system also includes at least one exterior finish component operably attached to the frame; and a plurality of alignment assemblies operably attached to the frame. Each alignment assembly has a lower fixing plate having an alignment pin extending upwardly therefrom, the lower fixing plate being operably attached to the top track of the frame; and an upper alignment plate being operably attached to bottom track of the frame and having a hole formed therein, wherein the alignment pin of the lower fixing plate is configured to be received by the upper alignment plate attached to a vertically adjacent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: INVENT TO BUILD INC.
    Inventor: Michael R. Strickland
  • Patent number: 10954684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular plant (1), in particular a modular industrial plant, comprising a plurality of cuboid-shaped plant modules (20, 40, 40a, 40c), which are arranged in two or more layers stacked one above the other. The modules have a support structure having fastening points (24, 24?, 44, 44?), wherein the fastening points are provided for connecting a module to corresponding fastening points of the adjacent modules of a layer located above and/or below thereof. In the horizontal plane, the modules of a layer are connected to the adjacent modules of the layer located above and/or below thereof in a form-fit manner by means of a connection element (64) having the shape of a double cone or of a double conical frustum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: RV Lizenz AG
    Inventor: Mikael Rüdlinger
  • Patent number: 10941561
    Abstract: The present application relates to a volumetric module constructed from a module chassis, an exterior wall attached to at least a portion of the module chassis, a floor assembly attached to at least a portion of the module chassis, and a façade adjustably attached to at least a portion of the module chassis. The volumetric module may be configured to interface with a separate accommodation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: RAD URBAN, LLC
    Inventor: Randall Miller
  • Patent number: 10704251
    Abstract: A modular housing system and methods for using the same are provided. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the modular housing system comprises: a plurality of prefabricated system modules that are vertically aligned with each other and joined with a first fastener assembly to form a central system module having a front perimeter portion and a rear perimeter portion; a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) module that is connected to the rear perimeter portion of the central system module; an elevator module that is connected to the front perimeter portion of the central system module; and a plurality of prefabricated housing modules that are connected to the central system module, the MEP module, and the elevator module, wherein each of the plurality of prefabricated housing modules is vertically aligned with each other to form a stacked housing unit and joined to the central system module and the elevator module with a second fastener assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Vessel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Rubler
  • Patent number: 10352046
    Abstract: A self-centring compact coupler for lifting, jacking or pushing apart and positioning concrete elements via their reinforcement bars (rebar) having an adjusting coupler member screwed on a threaded post attached to one rebar to apply a lifting or pushing force against a non-adjustable seating stud with an integral seating head and centring protrusion fixed to a corresponding and opposite rebar. An enclosing coupler member is screwed on the adjusting coupler member to enclose and lock the seating head and couple the rebar. The unitary configuration of the seating stud and seating head reduces the number of parts. The centring facility negates need of large internal tolerances to accommodate rebar misalignment, thus substantially ensuring co axial transfer of force from the coupler to the rebar. The coupler is used to incrementally vary and accurately adjust the relative positions of the concrete elements to one another in the building process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: M3S HOLDINGS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Steven Prowse
  • Patent number: 9909326
    Abstract: A scaffolding module comprising: a frame that, when in an erected configuration, defines an interior space; and a plurality of mounting regions that allow the module to be mounted with other said scaffolding modules, wherein when so mounted, the module frames are able to be interconnected to form a support structure for one or more scaffolding platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: John Clement Preston
  • Patent number: 9068340
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus facilitate the construction of a building using prefabricated building units, each having a horizontal upper exterior surface and a plurality of vertical wall surfaces, wherein at least some of the prefabricated building units have at least one hollow column formwork structure. The prefabricated building units are lowered onto a pre-existing base at a construction site. A first story of the building is created by arranging a plurality of the prefabricated building units adjacent to each other on the base. Structural bearing material is applied to fill the hollow column formwork structures to create structural columns connected to the structural deck. Structural bearing material is applied to the horizontal upper exterior surfaces of the adjacent prefabricated building units to create a single structural deck over the prefabricated building units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Pre-Form Systems LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Austin, William Jencks
  • Patent number: 8966860
    Abstract: A wall lifting, transport and positioning device for use with a wall section upon a worksite surface. The wall section has a top plate with a lower top plate side and a bottom plate with a lower bottom plate side. The device includes a wheeled hand cart housing, a support frame, a pair of roller pins, and a lifting actuator. Each of the roller pins including an outer cylindrical element configured to rotate relative to the support frame with the top plate being positioned in contact with the outer cylindrical element for translation of the wall section in a direction along the top plate. The lifting actuator is sized and configured to translate the roller pins upward relative to the wheeled hand cart housing with the outer cylindrical elements being positionable in contact with the lower top plate side. A method of positioning a wall section is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventors: Fred E. Hovenier, Fred J. Hovenier
  • Patent number: 8769886
    Abstract: When constructing a unit building having a middle scale or more such as especially an apartment house, a long and large size building unit capable of reducing construction period while increasing construction efficiency and being economically provided can be achieved. Detachable temporary reinforcing members 2 are provided on both of the short side surfaces of the building unit body 1A, respectively. The temporary reinforcing member 2 has lower end portion on which a projecting portion 3 is downwardly projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Studio Cube, Inc., Arcadia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Ohnishi, Akihiko Kobayashi, Satoshi Saigo, Hai Lin
  • Patent number: 8621788
    Abstract: There is herein described a connector system. More particularly, there is herein described a connector (100) system which is capable of being used to connect construction modules (120) in a substantially horizontal and/or substantially vertical manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Dalglen (No. 1158) Limited
    Inventors: Dominic Tedesco, William Rutherford
  • Publication number: 20130305630
    Abstract: A system is taught comprising a first plain end concrete structure comprising two side faces extending horizontally to end in two end faces and a second fork end concrete structure comprising two side faces extending horizontally to end in two fork ends; said fork ends each comprising a pair of fork walls that define a slot. The system further comprises a base and a rigid support member embedded in the base, and received within said slot. The slot has a width sized to receive an end face of the first plain end structure such that the end face of the first plain end structure is disposed adjacent the rigid support member. A system of stacked structures is taught, said system comprising one or more stacking structures, each comprising two side faces extending vertically to end in a bottom face and a top face, said top face comprising a top profile and said bottom face comprising a bottom profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KEY CONCRETE PRODUCTS LTD.
    Inventor: Robert Gordon Heemskerk
  • Patent number: 8549796
    Abstract: A building includes first and second building modules connected together by a connector system. The connector system comprises a first connector block (51) fixed to the first building module, a second connector block (52) fixed to the second building module, a load bearing fixing plate (63) interposed between the first and second building modules and projecting outwardly therefrom, and a spigot (61) that passes through an opening in the fixing plate (63), projecting on one side of the plate into an opening in the first connector block (51) and projecting on the opposite side of the plate into an opening in the second connector block (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Verbus International Limited
    Inventor: David Heather
  • Patent number: 8297002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dwelling module, a roof module, a balcony module, a facade module, a building and a lifting tool for a modular construction system used to form a building from the aforementioned modules. The dwelling module (3) includes a floor (31), a roof (34T) and pillars between the floor (31) and the roof (34T). The pillars contain an embedded multi-purpose part (32) which is used to stack one module on top of another. The roof module is positioned on top of the building, while the balcony module (359) and the facade module (310) can be positioned peripherally to the building. The lifting tool is used to transport and install the dwelling module (3) at the desired site in order to complete a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Habidite, S.A.
    Inventor: José Javier Fernández Fernández
  • Patent number: 8256168
    Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of regular hexagonal tubes and a plurality of rhomboid inserts is disclosed. At least one of the tubes can be placed end-to-end relative to another of the tubes in a configuration where the central axes of the tubes are parallel. These central axes can be either collinear or not collinear depending upon the overall configuration of the structure chosen. Each rhomboid insert fits inside at least one section of a hexagonal tube. Those rhomboid inserts that fit into more than one hexagonal tube provide a means for interlocking the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: George S. Bigger
  • Patent number: 8151528
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring a modular or manufactured building. The system includes at least one concrete pad formed in at least one hole in the ground. The building is coupled to and supported on the ground by the at least one concrete pad. Additionally, the system includes at least one ground anchor buried in the at least one hole below the at least one concrete pad. The system further includes a connector having a first end affixed to the ground anchor and a second end embedded within the concrete pad, for resisting an upward force to the building by high winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Building Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: William C. Masters, William J. Kalker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8082709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular construction system. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a construction system, including modules, which are capable of being used in a wide range of applications including buildings and various other structures. Prior systems included structured modules connected by means of flexible joints which were composed of cables. These allowed relative movement between walls of various units. Such systems were complex and expensive to manufacture An improved modular construction system overcame this problem by providing a plurality of structural elements of V-shaped or chevron-shaped cross section. These are adapted to be assembled in a cellular configuration by their similar form, size and by virtue of the elements having apertures. Any aperture may receive a connector, which permits an amount of relative movement between said elements in two-rotational degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew William Lewis Roberts
  • Publication number: 20110197521
    Abstract: A system of modular construction including a plurality of pre-manufactured components cooperatively structured for onsite assembly of a building or other structure. A plurality of modules are disposed and structured to at least partially define wall, floor and roof portions of the assembled building, wherein the plurality of modules are interconnected in an intended relation to one another by a connecting web assembly, wherein the connecting web assembly comprises a plurality of different types of component connectors and retaining channels. A water distribution assembly is incorporated within the building such that water is delivered by gravity feed to a plurality of plumbing fixtures and/or outlets and the building also includes an integrated, built-in gutter assembly associated with the plurality of down spouts for the recognized distribution and/or collection of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Robert Courtney
  • Patent number: 7594361
    Abstract: The modular building system consists of building modules (1) in high resistance, reinforced concrete, to be stacked vertically and placed side-by-side in the construction of preferably residential buildings. Each module (1) forms a monolithic structure or consists of a steel frame (103) and panels (102), with walls, ceiling and floor. These modules (1) include positioning devices (2 and 3) for stacking purposes; side connection elements (5 and 6) between the modules (1); and/or horizontal and vertical tightening bands (104 and 105). These modules are leveled by using leveling sheets and/or non-retraction mortar and/or a method with jacks (108) and tubular sections (109) filled with non-retraction mortar (193) until it sets and the jacks (108) are removed. Each building module (1) includes all the accessories and finishing elements of a home, such as facades, windows, utilities, furniture and interior equipment considered useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Compact — Habit S.L.
    Inventor: José Tragant Ruano
  • Patent number: 7464504
    Abstract: A thermal protection system for an ISO container includes roof panels attached to factory installed corner fittings on the container roof. The roof panels may be level or inclined and may include cavities for insulation. The standoff distance between the roof panels and the container roof is adjustable in certain embodiments. The roof panels may be layered to enhance thermal protection. Reflective coatings applied to the panels further enhance thermal protection from solar radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventors: Craig Hartzell, Kevin Koch, Zenovy Wowczuk, John Ruth, Kenneth H. Means, James E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6871453
    Abstract: A building construction is provided, including a plurality of connectors. Each of the connectors has an upper portion, a lower portion, a flange extending outwardly between the upper portion and the lower portion, and an axial bore extending through the connector from the upper portion to the lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion define sloped bearing surfaces. The connectors are positioned between a plurality of building structural members. The upper and lower portions of the connectors extend into recesses in the structural members having sloped walls corresponding to the sloped bearing surfaces of the connectors. A tensioner extends through the bores of the connectors to connect the structural members. The bearing surfaces of at least two of the connectors have different slopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Reginald A. J. Locke
  • Publication number: 20040182016
    Abstract: A building construction is provided, including a plurality of connectors. Each of the connectors has an upper portion, a lower portion, a flange extending outwardly between the upper portion and the lower portion, and an axial bore extending through the connector from the upper portion to the lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion define sloped bearing surfaces. The connectors are positioned between a plurality of building structural members. The upper and lower portions of the connectors extend into recesses in the structural members having sloped walls corresponding to the sloped bearing surfaces of the connectors. A tensioner extends through the bores of the connectors to connect the structural members. The bearing surfaces of at least two of the connectors have different slopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Reginald A. J. Locke
  • Publication number: 20020011035
    Abstract: An easily constructed, highly secure, walk-in vault uses pre-cast panels. A door frame is molded into one of the panels. The panels have interlocking joints with adjacent panels. The interlocking joints are protected with continuous, double burglary-proof seams situated in the interior of the vault. Abutting panels are securely held together by metal rods that penetrate the interlocking joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: MARK L. BOYER, MICHAEL E. BARKER