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US 2023/0104556 A1Published application
Systems and methods for modular construction
AssigneeVector Meta Inc.
InventorJulian L. W. Bowron
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connection assembly for modular construction includes an upper junction connector coupled to an upper end of a column. The upper junction connector includes an upper end that has a planar upper surface, a recessed surface, and at least one connector sidewall extending between the upper surface and the recessed surface. The recessed surface and the at least one connector sidewall define a contiguous recessed area in the upper end that extends to second, third, and fourth edges of the upper end of the connector. A slot extends through the upper end adjacent to an interior surface of a column sidewall. A transverse bore extends through the first column sidewall proximate to and aligned with the slot.
Claims29
A connection assembly for modular construction, the assembly comprising:
- at least one column having an upper end, a lower end, and a first column sidewall, a second column sidewall, a third column sidewall, and a fourth column sidewall, the first, second, third, and fourth column sidewalls extending between the upper end and the lower end,
- wherein the fourth column sidewall defines a longitudinal gap therein, the longitudinal gap extending along a length of the fourth column sidewall;
- at least one upper junction connector coupled to the upper end of the at least one column, each of the at least one upper junction connector comprising:
- an upper end having first, second, third, and fourth edges, wherein the first edge overlies the first column sidewall, the second edge overlies the second column sidewall, the third edge overlies the third column sidewall, and the fourth edge overlies the fourth column sidewall,
- wherein the upper end has a planar upper surface, a recessed surface, and at least one connector sidewall extending between the upper surface and the recessed surface, the recessed surface and the at least one connector sidewall defining a contiguous recessed area in the upper end that extends to the second, third, and fourth edges of the upper end of the connector,
- wherein a slot extends through the upper end adjacent to an interior surface of the first column sidewall, and
- wherein a bore extends through the recessed surface;
- a first lateral connector extending generally perpendicular to the first column sidewall proximate the upper end of the at least one column;
- and
- a second lateral connector extending generally perpendicular to one of the second and third column sidewall proximate the upper end of the at least one column;
- wherein a transverse bore extends through the first column sidewall proximate to and aligned with the slot.
8 more elements
A connection assembly for modular construction, the assembly comprising:
- an upper junction connector coupled to the upper end of a column, the column having a column sidewall, the upper junction connector comprising:
- an upper end having first, second, third, and fourth edges, and a planar upper surface
- wherein a slot extends through the upper end adjacent to an interior surface of the column sidewall, and
- wherein a transverse bore extends through the column sidewall proximate to and aligned with the slot;
- and
- at least one lateral connector extending generally perpendicular to the column sidewall proximate the upper end of the column;
- and
- a powered actuator configured to drive a securement bolt through the transverse bore and through a corresponding transverse bore in a securement tab extending from a lower junction connector and through the slot.
5 more elements
A connection assembly comprising:
- a joist member having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and at least one joist sidewall extending between the first end and the second end,
- wherein one of the at least one joist sidewall has a linear surface feature proximate the first end of the joist member, and
- wherein at least one bore extends through the one of the at least one joist sidewall proximate the linear surface feature;
- at least one structural member;
- a fixed plate member coupled to the at least one structural member, the fixed plate member comprising a connection face,
- wherein the connection face has a linear surface feature configured to engage the linear surface feature of the joist member, and
- wherein at least one bore extends through the connection face proximate the linear surface feature of the connection face;
- and
- a floating plate having a linear surface feature configured to engage the linear surface feature of the joist member,
- wherein at least one bore extends through the floating plate proximate the linear surface feature of the floating plate;
- wherein in a connected configuration, the one of the at least one joist sidewall is positioned between the connection face and the floating plate with the linear surface feature of the joist sidewall engaging both the linear surface feature of the connection face and the linear surface feature of the floating plate, one or more mechanical fasteners are positioned in the at least one bore of the connection face, the one of the at least one joist sidewall, and the floating plate, and the one or more mechanical fasteners exert a clamping force on the one of the at least one joist sidewall.
8 more elements
A service connection assembly for modular construction, the service connection assembly comprising:
- a first connection plate comprising a first HVAC coupling in communication with a first portion of an HVAC conduit, at least one first water coupling in communication with a first portion of at least one water conduit, and a plurality of first electrical couplings in communication with a first portion of electrical wiring;
- and
- a second connection plate comprising a second HVAC coupling in communication with second portion of the HVAC conduit, at least one second water coupling in communication with a second portion of the at least one water conduit, and a plurality of second electrical couplings in communication with a second portion of the electrical wiring;
- wherein when the first connection plate and the second connection plate are aligned with and facing each other, the first HVAC coupling is aligned with the second HVAC coupling, the at least one first water coupling is aligned with the at least one second water coupling, and the plurality of first electrical couplings are aligned with the plurality of second electrical couplings.
1 more element
A hoisting apparatus for modular construction, the hoisting apparatus being securable to a hoist cable of a crane, the hoisting apparatus comprising:
- a central body portion having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal body axis;
- an upwardly facing crane connection member coupled to the central body portion for securing the hoisting apparatus to the hoist cable;
- a first longitudinal arm extending outwardly from the first end of the central body portion, wherein the first longitudinal arm is coupled to a first arm actuator, the first arm actuator being operable to extend and retract the first longitudinal arm relative to the central body portion and generally parallel to the longitudinal body axis between an extended position and a retracted position;
- at least one downwardly facing hoisting connector coupled to a distal end of the first longitudinal arm;
- a second longitudinal arm extending outwardly from the second end of the central body portion, wherein the second longitudinal arm is coupled to a second arm actuator, the second arm actuator being operable to extend and retract the second longitudinal arm relative to the central body portion between an extended position and a retracted position;
- and
- at least one downwardly facing hoisting connector coupled to a distal end of the second longitudinal arm;
- wherein the first arm actuator and the second arm actuator are operable to independently extend and retract the first and second longitudinal arms.
5 more elements
A kit of parts for constructing a volumetric module frame, the kit comprising:
- at least one column assembly, each column assembly comprising:
- a column having an upper end, a lower end, and at least one column sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end;
- an upper junction connector coupled to the upper end of the column;
- at least one upper lateral connector extending generally perpendicular to the at least one column sidewall proximate the upper end of the column;
- a lower junction connector coupled to the lower end of the column;
- at least one lower lateral connector extending generally perpendicular to the at least one column sidewall proximate the lower end of the column.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.