Modular construction system and method
OwnerDavid T. Acquistapace, Charles Ryan Acquistapaceinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for constructing a modular frame structure is provided. The system includes brackets to which structural members can be fastened to form a building frame. Each bracket has between three and six attachment elements positioned at right angles to an adjacent attachment element. A structural member, such as a beam or post, can be fastened to each attachment element to form a moment resisting connection. The brackets are manufactured in standard sizes and configurations so that a set of brackets can be used to construct a modular frame structure of a desired size and configuration.
Claims12
A system for constructing a modular frame structure, said system comprising:
- a plurality of brackets,
- wherein each bracket comprises at least three attachment elements including a first attachment element, a second attachment element, and a third attachment element, wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element collectively form an L-shaped plate having a first perimeter defined by a first plurality of straight edges, the third attachment element having a second perimeter defined by a second plurality of straight edges, wherein the third attachment element is secured perpendicularly to the L-shaped plate within the first perimeter, wherein each of the at least three attachment elements extend outward from a node such that each attachment element is positioned at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from an adjacent attachment element, and
- wherein the plurality of brackets comprise a first set of brackets and a second set of brackets, wherein the first set of brackets are three-dimensional mirror images of the second set of brackets;
- and
- a plurality of structural members,
- wherein each structural member of the plurality of structural members has a first end having a first slot configured to receive an attachment element of a bracket from the first set of brackets and a second opposing end configured to receive an attachment element of a bracket from the second set of brackets, and wherein the width of each attachment element is equal to the diameter of at least one of the first end and the second end of a structural member from the plurality of structural members.
A system for constructing a modular frame structure, the system comprising:
- a plurality of brackets,
- wherein each bracket of the plurality of brackets comprises at least three attachment elements including a first attachment element, a second attachment element, and a third attachment element, wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element collectively form an L-shaped plate having a first perimeter defined by a first plurality of straight edges, the third attachment element having a second perimeter defined by a second plurality of straight edges, wherein the third attachment element is secured perpendicularly to the L-shaped plate within the first perimeter, and wherein each of the at least three attachment elements extend outward from a node such that each attachment element is positioned at an angle of approximately 90degrees from an adjacent attachment element;
- and
- a first plurality of securing members,
- each securing member of the first plurality of securing members has a first end having a first slot and a second end having a second slot, the orientation of the first slot being rotated 90 degrees from the orientation of the second slot;
- and
- a second plurality of securing members,
- each securing member of the second plurality of securing members has a third end with a third slot and a fourth end having a fourth slot, wherein the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot are each configured to receive an attachment element therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.