Modular building

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular building (1) comprising a foundation (2) formed from several foundation modules (3) and several lateral vertical columns (4) attached to the foundation (2) at an even spacing. On the opposite sides of the foundation (2), to the upper ends of two opposite columns (4), a pair of rafters (5) are attached, which are connected to each other at the ends. Wall panels (7) and roof panels (8) are attached to the columns (4) and rafters (5). Each column (4) is rigidly fixed with its lower end to one foundation module (3) of the foundation (2), and each wall panel (7) is mounted on the outer side of two adjacent columns (4), and each roof panel (8) is mounted on the outer side of two adjacent rafters (5).

Description

[0001] Modular building

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a modular building, more specifically a modular building, the configuration and purpose of which can be easily changed during its service life.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] Various modular buildings, i.e. buildings constructed of modules, are known from the prior art, such as garden houses, garages, living spaces, forest cottages, greenhouses, children’s playhouses, tool sheds, and other similar buildings made of modular elements.

[0006] In most cases, these buildings have a specific purpose and configuration, such as the size of the building, existing windows and door(s), the modification of which after the building is erected is not possible or is difficult and labour-intensive. Also, changing the configuration is complicated due to the need to alter the foundation.

[0007] United States patent application US2002 / 0046521 (published on April 25, 2002) describes a building made of pre-cast concrete panels, which are installed on the foundation formed of foundation modules. Once erected, the configuration of this modular building cannot be changed.

[0008] United States patent US11525233B1 (published on December 13, 2022) describes a modular system of foundation modules enabling post-tensioning of the foundation modules and formation of a suitable foundation for a building at the construction site by arranging the foundation modules. The system is not intended for later reconfiguration.

[0009] The solution having the most similar structural design to the present invention is known from the United States patent US6604328B1 (published on August 12, 2003), which describes a movable building including wall panels, wall columns, floor panels, floor support details, roof panels, and lattice. This solution is intended to be transported in a disassembled state on a carbo bed of a vehicle, erected at the construction site, and used there as a living space. When the need for use of said building ends, this building is disassembled again and transported to a new construction site for erecting and reuse. In the case of this solution, single wall panels or roof panels cannot be easily replaced or mutually exchanged without disassembling the building. The specific building has a specific function, i.e. , it is a temporary living space, and therefore it cannot be reconfigured for use, e.g., as a garage or a greenhouse.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a modular building, comprising in a plan view, a rectangular foundation formed of several foundation modules, a several lateral vertical columns attached onto the foundation at uniform intervals or pitch.

[0012] The modular building comprises a pair of rafters mutually connected at the ends and fixed to the upper ends of two opposite columns on the opposite sides of the foundation, and wall and roof panels located on the columns and rafters.

[0013] Each column is fixed rigidly at its lower end to one foundation module of the foundation, whereby each wall panel is mounted onto the external side of two adjacent columns, and each roof panel is fixed onto the external side of two adjacent rafters.

[0014] The external side in the context of the present invention means the side of columns and rafters, which is facing outwards / away from the interior of the building, i.e. the side of a column and a rafter, which is the opposite side to the side facing towards the interior of the building.

[0015] Each foundation module is resting with one end on the adjacent foundation module.

[0016] Preferably, each foundation module has a cross section of an inverse T-shape, and there is a notch at both ends of a foundation module, which is formed by a cut in the lower part of the foundation module at one end and by a cut at the other end in the upper part of the foundation module in such a way that notches fit and engage upon laying of the foundation modules in series. Also, one notch is sized and configured to fit the side of the foundation module.

[0017] In case of the modular building of the invention, the wall and roof panels have uniform dimensions. In other words, they are mutually interchangeable. Wall and roof panels are either closed / solid panels, i.e. they do not comprise an aperture for a window or a door, or these panels comprise a window or a door.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, a wall means external walls, such as side walls and end walls, as well as any partition walls inside the building.

[0019] Separate triangular end wall panels and / or end wall panels with triangular ridge part are used above the end walls in the triangular part of roof ridge between rafters.

[0020] In the second embodiment of the present invention the modular building further comprises in a plan view rectangular floor panels, the ends of which are resting between the foundation modules on the edges of the foundation modules.

[0021] In the third embodiment of the present invention the modular building further comprises platform beams, the ends of which are resting on the columns located on opposite sides, whereby there is a platform panel between two adjacent platform beams.

[0022] The junction of adjacent wall panels and adjacent roof panels is covered with cover sheet. In case of a heat insulated building, there is also a strip of heat insulation material under the cover sheet. Heat insulation material is also installed between the panels.

[0023] The ends of roof panels resting on opposite rafters are covered with ridge sheet.

[0024] Rafters are fixed to the upper ends of columns with frame brackets.

[0025] Opposite rafters are mutually connected at their ends in the ridge part with rafter bracket.

[0026] In the first embodiment the columns and rafters are made of wooden beams.

[0027] In the second embodiment the columns and rafters are made of metal.

[0028] As each wall panel is mounted to the external side of two adjacent columns, and each roof panel is fixed to the external side of two adjacent rafters, after removal of the cover sheet such fixing method of panels enables to replace wall panels as well as roof panels, if necessary, without disassembling the remaining structure of the building. If necessary, a wall or roof panel without a window can be replaced by a panel with a window, or vice versa. Furthermore, a closed wall panel can be replaced by a wall panel with door aperture and a door, if necessary. In addition to a so-called blind or glazed panel, the appearance of the building can be changed with panels comprising different materials of the external layer - sheet metal, boards, etc.

[0029] Extension of the building is also simpler - the foundation can be extended with foundation modules and vertical columns together with a pair of rafters connecting them in the upper part are installed on the extended foundation part. Shortening of the building is also simpler, as the panels located at the end wall can be fixed to the following remaining columns and pair of rafters. Basically, there are no limits for extending the building. The building can be also extended in lateral direction - in such case, some additional components are required for connecting the extension part with the main part of the building, but foundation modules, columns, rafters, end wall components, wall panels, and roof panels are same in both cases.

[0030] If the building is initially used, e.g. as a temporary living space or storage (shed), where floor panels are used, the building can be reconfigured, e.g. into a greenhouse by removing the floor panels and replacing wall and roof panels with panels with a window.

[0031] It is also possible to partition the space inside the building by installing a partition wall inside the building, and to form spaces with different purpose of use through selection of wall and roof panels in these partitioned spaces, e.g. a storage without windows and a part of tool shed with one or more wall and / or roof panels with a window. Furthermore, the plan of the building and its interior can be easily changed as necessary.

[0032] At the end walls there are additional columns for fixing wall panels between lateral columns, but when these are removed, it is possible to install wide garage doors to the end wall and to use the building as a garage.

[0033] The solution of the invention enables to use the modular building as a garden house, garage, temporary living space, working space, forest cottage, greenhouse, children’s playhouse, tool shed, or storage - the list is not exhaustive.

[0034] The need for adding windows, doors, and / or partition walls upon change of the purpose of use can be easily resolved - as wall panels as well as roof panels can be easily removed, they can be replaced. Furthermore, these panels can be mutually exchanged as well. The building of the invention can be further assembled and later modified without a need for special labour force, i.e. no building experts with special qualification are required for that purpose.

[0035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] The present invention is further described with reference to the appended schematic drawings, where:

[0037] Figure 1 is axonometric view of a modular building of the invention;

[0038] Figure 2 is axonometric view of a modular building of the invention without wall and roof panels;

[0039] Figure 3 is axonometric view of the foundation of a modular building of the invention formed of foundation modules;

[0040] Figure 4 is axonometric view of the foundation of Figure 3, onto which floor panels have been installed;

[0041] Figures 5 to 7 are respectively side, top and end views of a single foundation module used for forming the foundation of Figures 3 and 4;

[0042] Figures 8 to 10 are respectively side, top and end views of the foundation modules used for extending the foundation or installing the partition walls;

[0043] Figures 11 to 14 are views of wall / roof panels of a modular building of the invention, where Figures 11 and 12 are respectively top and side views of a panel without apertures, and Figures 13 and 14 are respectively top view and longitudinal section of a panel with a window;

[0044] Figure 15 is a view of a lattice element of modular building, formed of two columns and a pair of rafters mutually connecting the columns;

[0045] Figure 16 is a sectional view of modular building between two lattice elements, where a wall panel and a roof panel is installed on one side;

[0046] Figure 17 is a sectional detail view of the connection of a column and a rafter together with wall and roof panel and the cover sheets covering them; Figure 18 is a sectional detail view of the fastening of two adjacent wall panels on a column.

[0047] EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

[0048] For the sake of clarity, similar details and elements have the same reference numbers in different figures.

[0049] Figures 1 and 2 are views of a modular building 1 , comprising in a plan view a rectangular foundation 2 formed of several foundation modules 3. Several lateral vertical columns 4 are fixed onto the foundation 2 with uniform distance. Pairs of rafters 5 with mutually connected ends are fixed to the upper ends of two opposite columns 4 on the opposite sides of the foundation 2, in result of which the lattice elements 6 are formed - see Figure 15.

[0050] Wall panels 7 and roof panels 8 are located respectively on the columns 4 and rafters 5 shown in Figure 1 . Each column 4 is fixed rigidly with its lower end onto a foundation module 3 of the foundation 2, whereby each wall panel 7 is mounted onto the external side of two adjacent columns 4, and each roof panel 8 is fixed onto the external side of two adjacent rafters 5 (Figure 16).

[0051] Figure 2 shows adjacent lattice elements 6 fixed to the foundation 2. As seen from Figure 2, the end lattice elements 6 are equipped with additional columns 9 for installing wall panels 7 onto them.

[0052] Further, a lattice element inside the modular building is equipped with columns 9 for installing wall panels for a partition wall. Separate triangular end wall panels and / or end wall panels with triangular ridge part are used above the wall panels 7 of the end walls in the triangular part of roof ridge between rafters 5.

[0053] The foundation modules 3 shown in Figures 5 to 7 are formed with mutually fitting notches 10 and 11 at opposite ends. Each foundation module 3 has a cross section of an inverse T-shape, i.e. in the end view of Figure 7 the footing part 12 of the foundation module 3 is wider than the fastening part 13, to which also the ends of columns 4 and 9 are fixed. Upon laying the foundation 2, notches 10 and 11 of sequential foundation modules 3 are fixed to each other with screws. Floor panels 14 are placed between the foundation modules 3 located at the sides of the foundation 2 onto the edge of their footing parts 12 - see Figure 16. If necessary, a foundation part can be laid between the lateral foundation modules 3 for supporting more massive partition wall, using foundation modules 3 and foundation modules 15 shown in Figures 8 to 10. Foundation modules 15 are also intended for using later for continuation / extension of the foundation, i.e. it is not necessary to disassemble the end part of the foundation under the end wall for extending the foundation. Ends of the foundation module 15 are symmetrical, i.e. each end of it has notch 10, similar to the foundation module 3.

[0054] Notch 11 of the foundation modules 3 and 15 has such shape and size that it can rest on the foundation module 3 from the side, on the footing part of the foundation module 3 - see Figures 5 and 8.

[0055] In the embodiments shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17, in the lattice elements 6 the ends of columns 4 are connected with the ends of rafters 5 with frame brackets 16, and the pair of rafters 5 are mutually connected with a rafter bracket 17.

[0056] Lower ends of columns 4 are fixed to the fastening part 13 of the foundation module 3 with brace 18.

[0057] Columns 4 and rafters 5 have bolts 19 for fixing wall and roof panels 7 and 8 - see Figures 16, 17, 18. Bolts 19 are located centrally in the width of columns 4 and rafters 5 so that there is enough space for supporting the edges of wall and roof panels 7, 8 on both sides of a bolt 19. Upon installation, bolts 19 remain between the edges of two adjacent wall or roof panels 7, 8. Upon installation, the cover sheet 20 covers the edges of two adjacent wall or roof panels 7, 8.

[0058] In case of a heat insulated building there is also heat insulation material under the cover sheet 20, e.g. a strip of mineral wool, whereby there can also be a sealing strip between the panels and the column, as shown in Figure 18. Heat insulation material is also installed between the panels, as shown in Figure 17, where the heat insulation material is located between the ends of wall panel 7 and roof panel 8.

[0059] Wall panels 7 and roof panels 8 are quadrilateral in top view and can be mutually exchanged - few examples of their embodiments are provided in Figures 11 to 14. Figures 11 and 12 are respectively top and side views of a wall / roof panel 7, 8 without apertures, and Figures 13 and 14 are respectively top view and longitudinal section of a wall / roof panel 7, 8 with a window. Choice of materials of wall panels 7 and roof panels 8 is not limited, but preferably and for practical reasons they should be light enough, so that one or two persons could handle them easily and install without lifting mechanisms.

[0060] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0061] 1 modular building

[0062] 2 foundation

[0063] 3 foundation module

[0064] 4 column

[0065] 5 rafter

[0066] 6 lattice element

[0067] 7 wall panel

[0068] 8 roof panel

[0069] 9 column

[0070] 10 notch

[0071] 11 notch

[0072] 12 footing

[0073] 13 fastening part

[0074] 14 floor panel

[0075] 15 foundation module

[0076] 16 frame bracket

[0077] 17 rafter bracket

[0078] 18 brace

[0079] 19 bolt

[0080] 20 cover sheet

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 13 May 2025 (13.05.2025)1 . A modular building (1 ), comprising in a plan view a rectangular foundation (2) formed of several foundation modules (3), several lateral vertical columns (4) attached onto the foundation (2) at uniform intervals, a pair of rafters (5) mutually connected at the ends and fixed to the upper ends of two opposite columns (4) on the opposite sides of the foundation (2), and wall and roof panels (7, 8) located on the columns (4) and rafters (5), , whereby each wall panel (7) is mounted onto the external side of two adjacent columns (4), and each roof panel (8) is fixed onto the external side of two adjacent rafters (5) characterized in that each column (4) is fixed rigidly at its lower end to one foundation module (3) of the foundation (2), where each foundation module (3) is resting with one end on the adjacent foundation module (3).

2. The modular building (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that each foundation module (3) has a cross section of an inverse T-shape and there is a notch (10, 11 ) at both ends of a foundation module (3).

3. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall panels (7) and roof panels (8) have uniform dimensions.

4. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular building (1 ) further comprises in a plan view rectangular floor panels (14), the ends of which are resting between the foundation modules (3) on the edges of the foundation modules (3).

5. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular building (1 ) further comprises platform beams, the ends of which are resting on the columns (4) located on opposite sides, whereby there is a platform panel between two adjacent platform beams.

6. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a joint between adjacent wall panels (7) and adjacent roof panels (8) is covered with a cover sheet (20).

7. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends of roof panels (8) resting on opposite rafters (5) are covered with ridge sheet.

8. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rafters (5) are fixed to the upper ends of columns (4) with frame brackets (16).

9. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opposite rafters (5) are mutually connected at the ends in the ridge part with rafter brackets (17).

10. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the columns (4) and rafters (5) are made of wooden beams.

11. The modular building (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the columns (4) and rafters (5) are made of metal.

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