WO2003091513A1

WO2003091513A1 - Modular buildings

Info

Publication number: WO2003091513A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/001762
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Hubert Clamp; Brian John Horseman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-25
Filing date: 2003-04-25
Publication date: 2003-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2004-10-25
Also published as: GB0209506D0; EP1497514A1; AU2003224305A1

Abstract

A modular building (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19) comprising external pre-formed wall elements attached together at their side edges to provide a regular polygon in plan, at least some of the wall elements being trapezoidal, a floor element attached to the lower edge regions of the wall elements, and a substantially planar and sloping roof element attached to the upper edge regions of the walls.

Description

MODULAR BUILDINGS

This invention relates to modular buildings formed from prefabricated constituent elements and has for its object the provision of such buildings which are quicker and easier to erect and provide more flexibility in adaptability for different purposes than conventional so-called prefabricated buildings, the design of which originated in the immediate aftermath of the second world war.

According to the invention, a modular building comprises external pre-formed wall elements attached together at their side edges to provide a regular polygon in plan, at least some of the wall elements being trapezoidal, a floor element attached to the lower edge regions of the wall elements, and a substantially planar and sloping roof element attached to the upper edge regions of the walls.

The invention also includes a kit of parts comprising wall, floor and roof elements, suitable for assembly on site to provide a modular building as hereinbefore defined.

Two or more modular buildings according to the invention may be disposed adjacent one another with a common wall element or, preferably, adjacent wall elements to provide a complex of modular buildings. Preferably, the regular polygon plan shape is a hexagon, whereby three or more modular buildings may be juxtaposed in a nested or honeycomb arrangement.

Modular buildings according to the invention are preferably supported above ground level on legs, which may conveniently be adjustable to permit ready levelling of the floor element and additionally prevents accumulation, within the building, of any radon gas seeping up through the ground.

The wall elements may include door and window apertures and may also be provided, as may the floor and roof elements as required, with means for providing connection to mains services, for example by incorporation of wiring conducts and edge connections, and with ventilation ducts and the like. For external walls, the elements preferably include thermal insulation means and fulfil the appropriate structural strength requirements.

The side edges of the wall elements may be interlockable, being provided with interengageable formations which may require holding together by, for example, a locking bar or post. Alternatively, corner posts may be provided to which the wall elements are separately attached, preferably after having been offered to the posts from within the area of the building. Suitable sealing means against wind and rain may be provided; such means may be resilient and may additionally provide sealing for expansion and contraction in and between the wall elements, and to permit slight dimensional tolerances to be incorporated without noise or ingress of wind and rain between adjacent wall elements, or between wall and floor or roof elements.

The modular buildings may include internal wall elements, partitions and stairs to provide rooms for different purposes. Adjacent buildings in a complex and sharing common or adjacent wall elements may be self-contained or may, on the other hand, be provided with communication through the common or adjacent wall elements, internal wall elements separating rooms intended for different occupancy may include appropriate acoustic insulation and fire separation or retardation means. The constituent elements of modular buildings according to the invention are preferably formed from a metallic material, for precision of manufacture and assembly and for strength in transportation and storage. Internal insulation and/or decorative panels may be attached to the wall elements either before or after on-site assembly of the building. External faces preferably comprise a weatherproofing material and may include removable cladding which can be pre-coloured, or which may include louvres for extra ventilation, insulation material or the like.

The invention enables the provision of relatively low-cost housing for residential or leisure use, the buildings being readily erected and adapted for different purposes and being extendable by erection of further modules as required. The buildings are visually pleasing and their surroundings may readily be landscaped; verandas, patios and the like may be provided as required.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a complex formed from several modular buildings in a nested arrangement, and

Figure 2 is a perspective external view of another complex, similar but not identical with the Figure 1 arrangement. With reference to Figure 1 , the complex consists of nine hexagonal modular buildings, respectively 11 to 19. Modules 11, 12, 13 and 14 are individually self-contained; module

15 is in communication with one half of each of modules 16 and 17 and modules 18 and 19 are respectively in communication with the other halves of modules 16 and 17. - As shown each module is internally subdivided to provide living/dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and stairs.

Figure 2 shows from the outside a complex 21 consisting of two sub-complexes 22, 23 connected by a closed corridor or passage 24. Sub-complex 22 itself consists of six modules whereas sub-complex 23 consists of five modules. This view illustrates the sloping module roofs and the trapezoidal shape of at least some of the wall elements; doors and windows are omitted for the sake of clarity.

It can be understood from the drawings how the invention provides for adaptable configurations of modular buildings in building complexes, to suit a variety of requirements while at the same time resulting in an aesthetically-pleasing development.

Claims

1. A modular building comprising external pre-formed wall elements attached together at their side edges to provide a regular polygon in plan, at least some of the wall elements being trapezoidal, a floor element attached to the lower edge regions of the wall elements, and a substantially planar and sloping roof element attached to the upper edge regions of the walls.

2. A modular building according to claim 1, in which the regular polygon plan shape is a hexagon.

3. A modular building according to claim 1 or claim 2 including legs supporting the floor element above ground level.

4. A modular building according to claim 3, in which the legs are adjustable.

5. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which the wall elements include door and window apertures.

6. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which the wall elements include thermal insulation means.

7. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which the side edges of the wall elements are inter lockable.

8. A modular building according to claim 7, in which the interlockable side edges are provided with interengageable formations.

9. A modular building according to claim 8, in which the interengageable formations are held together by a locking bar or post.

10. A modular building according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the wall elements are separately attached to corner posts.

11. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which the wall, floor and/or roof elements further comprise means for providing connection to mains services.

12. A modular building according to any preceding claim further comprising sealing means against wind and rain.

13. A modular building according to any preceding claim further comprising internal wall elements.

14. A modular building according to claim 13, in which the internal wall elements include acoustic insulation.

15. A modular building according to claim 13 or claim 14, in which the internal wall elements include fire separation or retardation means.

16. A modular building according to any preceding claim further comprising an upper floor element for a second or further storey and stairs connecting the storeys.

17. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which common or adjacent wall elements are provided with communication means.

18. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which the constituent elements are formed from a metallic material.

19. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which the wall elements include internal insulation and/or decorative panels.

20. A modular building according to any preceding claim, in which the external faces of the wall elements comprise a weatherproofϊng material

21. A kit of parts for forming a modular building according to any preceding claim.

22. A complex of self-contained modular buildings according to any of claims 1 to 20, in which each module has a common dividing wall with an adjacent module.

23. A method of assembling a modular building according to any of claims 1 to 20, the method comprising the steps of attaching the floor element to the lower edge regions of the wall element and attaching the roof element to the upper edge regions of the wall elements.