Abstract A system for accommodating people for any of numerous functions, such as housing, schools, offices, hotels, etc., including one or more generally rectangular modules which can be arranged to afford maximum flexibility in both spatial orientation and interior and exterior living space. Each module comprises top and bottom preformed shells which receive the upper and lower edges of vertical wall sections. Each module is supported in a cantilever fashion by a plurality of columns spaced in a predetermined configuration which support the entire structural load of the module so that exterior and interior wall sections can be selectively chosen during fabrication to include windows or doors or as solid, opaque members (or be omitted entirely). Modules can be vertically stacked in a variety of configurations, e.g., displaced at 90° angles to one another by aligning and connecting the columns of a lower module to the corresponding columns in the module immediately below. The displaced vertical stacking arrangement in combination with a multiplicity of possible lateral orientations of the modules provides substantial flexibility in the extent of both interior and exterior living space. The specific techniques for connecting vertically adjacent columns and columns to the modules are also disclosed.
Inventors
👤 William F. Postlethwaite
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-03 15:02
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/348; E04B1/34815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A module for use in a modular housing system comprising: upper and lower shell members having identical rectangular, trough-shaped configurations; upper and lower trusses, each truss including vertically spaced, parallel joists having web members extending therebetween each truss nesting within a respective shell member and fixed therein, a space being formed between the peripheries of the trusses and respective shell members defining peripheral channels; vertical wall sections extending between the upper and lower shell members, the upper and lower edges of the wall sections being located within the peripheral channels; and an assembly of vertical structural columns each column having its upper and lower end portion connected to the upper and lower trusses respectively so that the entire load of said shell assemblies is transmitted through said columns, the wall sections being essentially free of load, the columns of said column assembly being arranged substantially symmetrically about a vertical plane disposed at a 45° angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A module for use in a modular housing system comprising: upper and lower shell members having identical rectangular, trough-shaped configurations; upper and lower trusses, each truss including vertically spaced, parallel joists having web members extending therebetween each truss nesting within a respective shell member and fixed therein, a space being formed between the peripheries of the trusses and respective shell members defining peripheral channels; vertical wall sections extending between the upper and lower shell members, the upper and lower edges of the wall sections being located within the peripheral channels; and an assembly of vertical structural columns each column having its upper and lower end portion connected to the upper and lower trusses respectively so that the entire load of said shell assemblies is transmitted through said columns, the wall sections being essentially free of load, the columns of said column assembly being arranged substantially symmetrically about a vertical plane disposed at a 45° angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
A module for use in a modular accommodation system including a plurality of substantially identical ones of such housing modules, comprising: an upper, horizontally disposed shell assembly; a plurality of vertical structural columns, each column being connected to and supporting the upper shell assembly; a lower, horizontally disposed shell assembly spaced from the upper shell assembly and connected to the lower ends of and being supported by said columns; a first annular shaped ring beam provided in proximity to said upper shell assembly rigidly connected to the upper ends of said columns; a second annular shaped ring beam provided in proximity to said lower shell assembly rigidly connected to the lower ends of said columns; and exterior vertically disposed wall sections located between the peripheries of the spaced shell assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
A module for use in a modular accommodation system including a plurality of substantially identical ones of such housing modules, comprising: an upper, horizontally disposed shell assembly; a plurality of vertical structural columns, each column being connected to and supporting the upper shell assembly; a lower, horizontally disposed shell assembly spaced from the upper shell assembly and connected to the lower ends of and being supported by said columns; a first annular shaped ring beam provided in proximity to said upper shell assembly rigidly connected to the upper ends of said columns; a second annular shaped ring beam provided in proximity to said lower shell assembly rigidly connected to the lower ends of said columns; and exterior vertically disposed wall sections located between the peripheries of the spaced shell assemblies.