Method of constructing a modular structure

Abstract

A modular structure consisting of three modular units of approximately the same size, the center module being the primary module containing the mechanical components of the building, with plumbing, air conditioning and heating ducts, and electrical wiring in the slab floor structural foundation and door jambs. The primary module used to transport the entire structure is completed at the factory, requiring no further work at jobsite, with heating and cooling unit, hot water heater, cabinets and appliances, plumbing and light fixtures and accessories installed at the factory in permanent locations. The major exterior walls, slab floor foundation panels, and ceiling/roof panels for all three modules are similarly manufactured in one piece in full width and the length of the building, eliminating joints, speeding assembly and strengthening the components. The major components of the side modules, consisting of the slab floor foundation panels, ceiling/roof panels and the exterior side walls, are all hinged so that they fold to the side and on top of the primary module. Accessories and wall panels and partitions not hinged are placed on top of the primary module for transportation. Two end walls are bolted to the center module during transportation to the site. At the pre-leveled permanent site, the primary module is lowered to the ground and the hinged slab floor foundation panels, which include hinged and folded exterior walls, along with the ceiling/roof panels, are unfolded and permanently fastened in place for that site, but can be refolded if later relocation is needed. The slab floor foundation panels for all three modules are placed directly on the ground or on a pre-built foundation, single or multi-level design. If a pitched roof was ordered, trusses and pre-sized roofing panels transported on top of the primary module are attached to the flat roof of the center module. Two or more of these triple modules can be joined side-to-side or end-to-end or on top of each other, for erection of multiple-unit buildings.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.