Modular shed

Abstract

The disclosure provides a modular shed, comprising a floor system comprising a floor construction supporting a flooring; said floor construction comprising a plurality of wall connecting spikes projecting upwards from a floor frame defining a wall boundary of the shed; a wall system comprising a set of modular wall elements connectable to one another along respective side edges, and comprising at least one reinforcing stud extending from a bottom edge to a top edge thereof; wherein the reinforcing studs are connectable over wall connecting spikes; a roof system comprising a plurality of spaced apart rafters extending from a ridge beam and bearing at a lower portion thereof over a top frame of the wall system, and a shed roofing attachable to the rafters; and wherein the wall system comprises a concealed conduit system comprising one or more vertical conduits, each extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud, and having a detachably attachable cover at an inside face of a wall element.

Description

[0001] MODULAR SHED

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure concerns modular sheds and a method for its assembly.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

[0006] - US7,707,783

[0007] - US8,650,807

[0008] - US9,032,670

[0009] Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0010] BACKGROUND

[0011] US8650807 The present invention provides a system, or kit, of blow molded panels having integrally formed connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The corner sections, roof, wall and floor panels are formed of blow molded plastic with integrally formed connectors to interlock with one another. In one embodiment, the ends of the wall panels have locking plugs that are constructed and arranged to fit into corresponding sockets and slide to an engaged position for interlocking cooperative engagement rigidly connecting the components together.

[0012] US9,032,670 provides for a system, or kit, of blow molded panels having integrally formed connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The corner sections, roof, wall and floor panels are formed of blow molded plastic with integrally formed connectors to interlock with one another.

[0013] US7,707,783 is directed to a modular enclosure, such as a shed, that may include sidewalls and a roof. The roof, for example, may include one or more roof panels. The roof may also include a truss that is sized and configured to support the roof panels. The shed may also include one or more support beams that may be connected to the truss and may be connected to one or more panels. The shed may include one or more brackets used to connect a pair of panels that are positioned at an angle to form a comer of the shed. The shed may also include a cover, which may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the brackets. A plurality of roof panels may be positioned within a shipping container to form storage areas or cavities sized and configured to receive all or at least a portion of one or more floor panels.

[0014] GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0015] A first aspect of the disclosure is directed to a modular shed, comprising: a floor system comprising a floor construction supporting a flooring, said floor construction comprising a plurality of wall connecting spikes projecting upwards from a floor frame and defining a wall boundary of the shed; a wall system comprising a set of modular wall elements connectable to one another along respective side edges, and comprising at least one reinforcing stud extending from a bottom edge to a top edge thereof, the reinforcing studs are connectable over wall connecting spikes; and a roof system comprising a plurality of spaced apart rafters extending from a ridge beam and bearing at a lower portion thereof over a top frame of the wall system, and a shed roofing attachable to the rafters; the wall system comprises a concealed conduit system that comprises one or more vertical conduits, each extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud, and having a detachably attachable cover at an inside face of a wall element.

[0016] The term "shed’ as used herein denotes a single-story roofed structure, useful for any purpose, such as storing equipment and goods, workspace and hobbies, office space, habitation, etc.

[0017] The term ‘wall boundary ’ defines the footprint of the walls of the shed over the floor system.

[0018] The modular wall elements comprise a plurality of wall panels, door panels window panels, module width adjusting panels, and comer panels, each having at least one stud receiving aperture extending therethrough.

[0019] The conduits are suitable for accommodating wiring (e.g. wires and cables for electric supply, telecommunication, etc.) and / or fluid transfer pipes (for water, drainage, HAVAC, etc.) At least the wall panels are triple layered wall panels, comprising an outside wall layer, an intermediate wall layer spaced apart from the outside wall layer and forming a major thermal insulating space therebetween, and an inside wall layer spaced apart from the intermediate wall layer and forming a secondary space therebetween.

[0020] A second aspect of the disclosure is directed to a kit for constructing a modular shed according to a predefined construction scheme, the kit comprising: a) a floor system subassembly comprising: a floor construction comprising a floor frame for constructing a wall boundary of the shed; and a plurality of wall connecting spikes connectable to the floor frame; flooring; b) a wall system subassembly comprising: modular wall elements comprising a plurality of wall panels, door panels window panels, module width adjusting panels and comer panels; each of the modular wall elements having at least one reinforcing stud aperture extending from a bottom edge to a top edge thereof, and being connectable to one another along respective side edges; a plurality of reinforcing studs snugly receivable within said reinforcing stud apertures; a concealed conduit system comprising one or more vertical conduits, each extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud aperture; a plurality of detachably attachable conduit covers; and a top wall frame mountable over respective modular wall elements; c) a roof system subassembly comprising: a ridge beam; a plurality of rafters connectable to the ridge beam and to the top wall frame; and a shed roofing attachable to the rafters; d) a plurality of fasteners for securing shed components to one another; and e) a building plan according to the construction scheme.

[0021] A third aspect of the disclosure concerns a method for assembling a shed as disclosed herein, the method comprises the steps of: (a) assembling a floor system that comprises a floor construction supporting a flooring, said floor construction comprising a plurality of wall connecting spikes projecting upwards from a floor frame defining a wall boundary of the shed;

[0022] (b) assembling a wall system that comprises a set of modular wall elements connectable to one another along respective side edges, and at least one reinforcing stud extending from a bottom edge to a top edge thereof; the reinforcing studs are connectable over wall connecting spikes; and the wall system comprises a concealed conduit system comprising one or more vertical conduits, each extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud, and having a detachably attachable cover at an inside face of a wall element; and

[0023] (c) assembling a roof system comprising a plurality of spaced apart rafters extending from a ridge beam and bearing at a lower portion thereof over a top frame of the wall system, and a shed roofing attachable to the rafters.

[0024] Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be associated with any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof:

[0025] • The wall connecting spikes can be connectable into stud receptacles at the floor frame;

[0026] • The wall connecting spikes can have a rectangle cross section;

[0027] • The wall connecting spikes can be configurable for snug receiving within the reinforcing studs;

[0028] • The wall connecting spikes can be secured to the floor frame; such securing can be by fasteners (screws, rivets, etc.), snap engagement, etc.;

[0029] • The floor system can further comprise a wall support securable over the floor frame, and comprising a wall engaging portion configurable for supporting and securing thereto a bottom edge of the modular wall elements;

[0030] • The wall engaging portion of the wall support can comprise a wall mounting portion for securing to the bottom edge of the modular wall elements;

[0031] • The wall mounting portion can have a U-like cross-section portion for embracing the bottom edge of the modular wall elements; • The wall support can comprise a gutter portion extending below the wall mounting portion, configurable for collecting wall draining along the wall elements;

[0032] • The gutter portion can extend external to an outside face of the wall frame;

[0033] • The wall support can comprise apertures extending in register with the stud receptacles of the floor frame, for the wall connecting spikes to project thereto;

[0034] • Peripheral edges of the flooring can be secured between a top surface of the floor frame and a bottom surface of the wall support;

[0035] • The flooring can be spaced from a bottom edge of the floor frame;

[0036] • The floor frame and the wall support can be made of metal;

[0037] • The flooring can comprise wood or plastic boards or slats;

[0038] • The floor construction can comprise floor joists extending between header joists of the floor frame;

[0039] • Connectivity of neighboring edges of adj oining modular wall elements can be liquid impermeable, light opaque, and / or wind tight;

[0040] • Neighboring edges of adjoining modular wall elements can have complimentary mating cross-sections, e.g. undulating, zigzagging, M-shaped, etc.;

[0041] • The concealed conduit can be a space complimented by a depressed portion at respective facing side ends of two neighboring wall elements, and wherein the removable cover can be engageable along its respective edges to respective facing edges of the two neighboring wall elements;

[0042] • The thickness of the concealed conduit can be at least the thickness of the secondary space;

[0043] • The removable cover of a conduit can extend flush with an inside surface of wall element;

[0044] • The removable cover can be snapingly engaged between two side edges of the conduit;

[0045] • The wall panels can be made of extruded polymeric material;

[0046] • The wall panels can be secured to the wall connecting spikes through the reinforcing studs extending through the wall panels; • The wall panels can be secured to the wall connecting spikes at the concealed conduit, wherein fasteners are non-visible inside of the shed;

[0047] • The wall panels can comprise a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart spaces, at least one of which being a reinforcing stud receptacle space;

[0048] • The reinforcing studs are disposable at least along one side edge of a respective modular wall element;

[0049] • An inside width of reinforcing studs corresponds with the size of wall connecting spikes and is configured for snug mounting thereover;

[0050] • The secondary space can be thinner than the major thermal insulating space;

[0051] • At least portions of the maj or thermal insulating space are filled by thermal and / or acoustic insulating material;

[0052] • At least the major thermal insulating space can be thermally insulated;

[0053] • Thermal insulation can be improved by one or more of air cells, and / or by applying mineral wool or foamed material into the maj or thermal insulating space;

[0054] • Opposite rafters can be connected to one another by a tie beam;

[0055] • Free ends of the rafters can extend beyond the walls of the shed, forming an overhang;

[0056] • Free ends of the rafters can be connectable to a ground anchoring cable system;

[0057] • The roof system can further comprise a collar tie connectable between one or more opposite rafters;

[0058] • A lower end portion of the rafters can be connectable to the reinforcing studs;

[0059] • Connectability of the rafters to the reinforcing studs can be facilitated by an end piece connectable at an end portion of the rafters and articulable to a reinforcing stud over the top frame of the walling;

[0060] • A reinforcing stud can extend along at least a side edge of one of a pair of neighboring modular wall elements;

[0061] • The top frame can comprise a horizontal conduit being in communication with at least one of the one or more vertical conduits extending through the wall system; • The ridge beam can comprise one or more raceways for supporting electrical and telecommunication wiring;

[0062] • The ridge beam can comprise is a light source embedded therewithin;

[0063] • The ridge beam can comprise several colinear ridge beam segments, with a reinforcing metal beam extending therethrough;

[0064] • The ridge beam segments can be coaxially connectable to one another by a ridge coupler, wherein rafters are connectable to either side of said ridge coupler, at an inclined relation;

[0065] • The roofing can comprise panels, slots, or tiles, made of extruded polymer material;

[0066] • Roof panels of the roofing can mimic roof tiles;

[0067] • The roof system can be lean-to style (at times referred to as a ‘shed type roof), or gable style;

[0068] • The shed can comprise a rain drain extending along roof portions;

[0069] • Inside / outside wall surfaces can be patterned (e.g. resembling natural material such as wood, stone, metal, etc.);

[0070] • At least an outside wall face of the wall panels can be UV treated;

[0071] • One or more roof panels can be light-transmitting panels (transparent or translucent);

[0072] • The shed can comprise a porch portion, i.e. a portion extending from a wall element of the shed, and comprising at least one of flooring and roofing;

[0073] • The shed gable (siding) can comprise a gable vent;

[0074] • Reinforcing studs of modular wall elements disposed opposite one another under sloping roof panels, can be in alignment with one another;

[0075] • Neighboring edges of adjoining modular wall elements can be further secured to one another by snap configurations and / or by fasteners, such as screw fasteners, clips, etc.

[0076] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0078] Fig- 1 is an isometric view of a shed according to an example of the disclosure;

[0079] Fig- 2 is a partially exploded view of Fig. 1;

[0080] Fig- 3 is a top perspective, assembled view, of a floor system of the shed;

[0081] Figs. 4A to 4K are consecutive steps of assembling a floor frame of the floor system;

[0082] Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of an assembled floor frame;

[0083] Figs. 6A to 6D are consecutive steps of applying flooring over the assembled floor frame;

[0084] Fig. 7A is a top isometric view of a portion of a wall system of the shed of Fig. 1;

[0085] Fig. 7B is an enlargement of the portion marked 7B in Fig. 7A;

[0086] Fig. 7C is an enlargement of the portion marked 7C in Fig. 7B;

[0087] Fig. 7D is an enlargement of the portion marked 7D in Fig. 7B;

[0088] Fig. 7E is a perspective view of an end portion of modular wall elements connectable to one another along respective side edges, with a reinforcing stud;

[0089] Fig. 7F is an exploded view of Fig. 7E;

[0090] Fig. 7G is a sectioned portion of an alternative connectivity solution of neighboring wall elements;

[0091] Figs. 8A, 8B and 8C are a planar view, an inside sectioned view and an outside sectioned view, respectively, of a bottom wall portion connected to the floor system, wherein a reinforcing stud is connected over a wall connecting spike;

[0092] Figs. 9A to 9E are modular wall elements used for construction of a wall system of the shed of Fig. 1, illustrating insertion of reinforcing studs;

[0093] Figs. 10A to 10D illustrate steps of erecting and fastening of a comer wall element over the floor system;

[0094] Figs. 11A to 11G are consecutive steps of completing erecting of the wall system of the shed (excluding door / s and window / s);

[0095] Fig. 12A and 12B are enlarged views of the portions marked 12A and 12B, respectively, in Fig. 11G;

[0096] Fig. 13A is a general view illustrating assembly of a door frame at an opening of the wall of the shed; Figs. 13B to 13H illustrate different views of steps of placing and connecting the door frame within the opening;

[0097] Figs. 14A to 14C are directed to connecting a complimentary top door wall frame;

[0098] Figs. 15A to 15D are consecutive steps of assembling a top frame of the wall system;

[0099] Figs. 16A and 16B illustrate an assembled gable and its mounting at respective ends of the shed, respectively;

[0100] Figs. 17A to 17F illustrate steps of assembly of a rafter and connecting the shed rafters to the shed roof;

[0101] Figs. 18A to 18E illustrate assembly of a ridge beam:

[0102] Figs. 19A and 19B illustrate assembly of a gable top member;

[0103] Figs. 20A to 20J illustrate consecutive steps of assembling the roofing to the rafters;

[0104] Figs. 21A and 21B illustrate attaching a roof cover;

[0105] Fig. 22A illustrates a shed with a skylight roof;

[0106] Fig. 22B is an enlargement of portion 22B in Fig. 22A;

[0107] Fig. 22C is an enlargement of portion 22C in Fig. 22B;

[0108] Figs. 23A-23C exemplify anchoring the shed to the ground, through the floor frame;

[0109] Figs. 24A-24B exemplify anchoring the shed to the ground, through the roof frame;

[0110] Figs. 25A to 25C are examples of shed modifications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0111] Fig 26 is a table exemplifying modularity of shed construction according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0112] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0113] Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 and 2, illustrating a shed according to an example of the present disclosure, generally designated 10.

[0114] Shed 10 is primarily made of plastic materials, excluding some fasteners. However, it is appreciated that a variety of other materials may be used as well. Shed 10 comprises the following principal elements (best seen in Fig. 2): a floor system 12 that comprises a floor frame 14 and a flooring 16; a wall system generally designated 20, comprising a set of modular wall elements 22 comprising wall panels, door panels, and window panels; and a roof system generally designated 30, comprising plurality of spaced apart rafters 32 over a top frame 34 of the wall system, a pair of gables 36, a ridge beam 38, and a shed roofing 40.

[0115] Further reference is made to Figs. 3 to 6D, discussing the floor system 12 in detail. Floor frame 14 is a closed frame system typically made of metal, defining wall boundary of the shed 10. Floor frame 14 is composed of a plurality of coextending C-shaped frame profiles 52 and comer frame profiles 53, connected to one another at their respective ends, giving rise to a rigid frame. As seen in Figs. 4B-4E, each frame profile 52 or 53 has a first end 54 of reduced thickness, configurable for snug receiving within an opposite end 56 of a neighboring frame profile 52. Each end comprises an opening 58 which, at an assembled position, said openings 58 coincide with one another to facilitate insertion therethrough of a wall connecting spike 62, or a coupling stud 64 (Figs. 4F-4G), shorter than a connecting spike 62, disposed at door locations of the shed 10.

[0116] Connecting spikes 62 and coupling studs 64 are connected within the respective openings with a pair of bolts 68 extending through the respective ends of the neighboring frame profiles 52 and into the respective spike 62 and 64.

[0117] Once floor frame 14 assumes its shape (corresponding with a footprint of the shed to be erect thereover), it is reinforced with an inside floor construction, namely truss 70, comprising a plurality of reinforcing metal beams 72 (a plurality of floor joists extending between header joists) secured within said floor frame 14. A top face of truss elements 70 is coplanar with a top face 78 of floor frame 14.

[0118] Further reinforcing takes place by inside comer plates 76, wherein said plates are disposed below the top edge surface 78 of frame 14.

[0119] Once floor frame 14 assumes its final shape, flooring 16 is laid thereover, wherein said flooring can be a plurality of boards 82 or slats. Flooring 16 can mimic natural material such as wood, or it can be covered with another layer, e.g. carpet, tiles, etc.

[0120] With particular reference to Figs. 6B to 6D, floor system 12 further comprises a wall support system 88, in the form of coextending profiles (best seen in Fig. 6D) securable over the profiles 52 and 53 of floor frame 14 and above flooring 16, where said wall support 88 are bent sheet metal profiles comprising opening 89 (Fig. 6B) disposed in register with location of spikes 62, and comprising a floor bearing bottom face 90 and a wall engaging portion 92, configurable for supporting and securing thereto a bottom edge of the modular wall elements (as will be discussed hereinafter, e.g. seen in Figs. 10B - 10D). Said wall supports 88 are further formed with an external U-like shaped portion 94 serving as a peripheral bottom wall gutter of the shed 10. It is noted that at assembly, bottom face 90 bears over a top surface 83 of boards 82.

[0121] Once assembly of floor system 12 is complete, as discussed hereinabove, it is time to assemble wall system 20.

[0122] Further attention is now made to Figs. 7A to 11G, directed to the wall system 20. The term ‘wall system’ encompasses any vertically extending wall portion of the shed, including wall panels, door panels, window bearing panels, gables, etc., as will be discussed hereinbelow.

[0123] As seen in Fig. 1, shed 10 wall system 20 is a closed wall structure, comprising side wall panels 100, corner wall panels 102, window bearing panels 104 (Fig. 9E), and door panels made of extruded plastic material. The panels 100,102,104 are made of extruded polymeric material, comprising a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart spaces 110, with at least one of such longitudinal space being a reinforcing stud receptacle space 114 (Figs. 7C-7G), snugly receiving therein a longitudinal reinforcing stud 118 made for example of metal and extending the length of the panel. It is noted that the inside width of reinforcing stud 118 corresponds with the size of wall connecting spike 62 and is thus configured for snug mounting thereover. In the illustrated example the panels comprise one reinforcing stud, though it is appreciated that two or more such reinforcing studs can be used for increasing rigidity of the shed.

[0124] It is seen that the wall panels are triple layered wall panels, comprising an outside wall layer 120, an intermediate wall layer 122 spaced apart from the outside wall layer 120, and forming a major thermal insulating space 126 therebetween, and an inside wall layer 128 spaced apart from the intermediate wall layer 122 and forming a secondary space 130 therebetween, and wherein the secondary space 130 is thinner than the major thermal insulating space 126. According to designer’s choice, at least the major thermal insulating space 126 can comprise thermally and / or acoustic insulating material (not shown).

[0125] Panels 100,102,104 are connectable to one another along respective side edges. For that purpose, each panel has one side edge constituting a male-type cross section (generally designated 136, as best seen in Fig. 7F), and another side edge constituting a female-type cross section 138, wherein neighboring edges of adjoining modular wall elements have mating, complimentary cross-sections, e.g. undulating, zigzagging, M- shaped, etc. Fig. 7G is an alternative connectivity solution of neighboring wall elements alternative connectivity solution of neighboring wall elements, though following the same principals discussed herein. Once assembled, as will be discussed hereinafter, the respective male-female connectivity system becomes rigid and liquid impermeable, light opaque and wind tight fashion.

[0126] It is appreciated that neighboring edges of adjoining modular wall elements can be further secured to one another by snap configurations and / or by fasteners, such as screw fasteners, clips, etc.

[0127] Once assembled, two neighboring panels 100,102,104 form a concealed conduit system 140 comprising a vertical conduit, extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud receptacle space 114, and configurable with a detachably attachable cover 144 at an inside face 122 of a wall element. Cover 144 is snapingly attached over conduit 140, between respective ridges 148 of panel edges of the two neighboring wall elements.

[0128] As can be seen, best in Figs. 7E-7G, concealed conduit 140 is in fact a space complimented by a depressed portion at respective facing side ends of two neighboring wall elements 100,102,104, and wherein the thickness of the concealed conduit 140 is at least (greater in the figures) the thickness of the secondary space 130.

[0129] Assembling wall elements 100,102,104 takes place by first positioning one such wall element, e.g. corner wall panel 102 (Figs. lOAto 10D), wherein the corner wall panel 102 is placed over the wall support system 88 of the floor system 12 (with a bottom edge of the panel 102 received within wall engaging portion 92) and wherein reinforcing stud 118 of corner wall panel 102 is applied over a respective wall connecting spike 62, whereupon threaded fasteners 160 are screwed at location of the concealed conduit system 140 - through openings 143 at wall portion 145, into the reinforcing stud 118 and further into the wall connecting spike 62. Once cover 144 is applied over conduit 140, fasteners 160 are no longer visible.

[0130] Notably, conduits 140 are suitable for accommodating wiring (e.g. wires and cables for electric supply, telecommunication, etc.) and fluid transfer pipes (for water, drainage, HAVAC, etc.)

[0131] Once a first wall element (e.g. corner wall panel 102) is assembled over floor system 12, additional assembly of wall elements takes place in sequential order, as illustrated by dashed arrow 170 (Figs. 10A and 11G), wherein consecutive wall panels are engaged in a side-by-side agreement, as per respective male-female connectivity system discussed herein above, and wherein each mounted wall panel is secured by fasteners as discussed in connection with Figs. 10A-10D, and as illustrated in Figs. 11 A- 11E.

[0132] Further attention is now directed to Figs. 12A to 14C, directed to assembly of a door casing 180 configurable for pivotally supporting a shed door 184 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2). However, it is appreciated that said frame can be adapted for supporting any door type (e.g. a single wing door, a double wing door, a sliding door, etc.,) or it can be adapted for supporting a window (e.g. a fixed or openable).

[0133] Door casing 180 is articulated at a wall opening of the shed between a left wall panel 100 and a right window panel 104 (Figs. 1 and 11G). It is noted that at this location the floor system 12 is fitted with a location coupling stud 64 (rather than wall connecting spike 62) i.e. the stud 64 substantially does not project above the floor level.

[0134] Door casing 180 comprises a left casing profile 186 having a cross section complimenting a male edge of wall panel 100 (Fig. 12A), and a right casing profile 188 having a cross section complimenting a female edge of window panel 104 (Fig. 12B), wherein at least right casing profile 188 is fitted with a longitudinal reinforcing stud 118 connectable to a wall connecting spike 62 as discussed hereinabove. Left casing profile 186 and right casing profile 188 can be secured to the respective panels 100 and 104 by screw fasteners and the like.

[0135] Once left casing profile 186 and right casing profile 188 are secured to the respective wall panels 100 and 104, a head casing profile 192 is secured at its respective ends by L-shaped brackets 194 (Figs. 13A-13C). Then, the door / window frame 200 can be placed within casing 180 and articulated thereto. First, a bottom frame 202 is positioned at the wall engaging portion 92 of wall support 88 (Figs. 13D-13F) and the frame 200 is then tilted to a vertical position, flush against casing 180. Side profiles 200L and 200R are secured by throughgoing fasteners into the reinforcing studs 118, and optionally through connecting spikes 62, respectively (Fig. 13H; being a local section along line 13H - 13H in Fig. 13G). Finally, a top roller 210 is applied over head casing profile 192, said top roller 210 having male / female shaped ends, corresponding with the panel connectivity system, and configured for securing between left casing profile 186 and right casing profile 188 (Figs. 14A - 14C). At this stage, the wall system 20 is almost complete. The next step is fixing the top frame 34 over the wall elements 100,102,104,210, (Figs 15A-15D). For that, a plurality of top frame profiles 220 are press-fitted over a top edge of the respective wall elements, with intermediate connectors 222 extending between neighboring connectors 222 along, along front wall F and rear wall R respectively (Fig. 15D), wherein at respective top corners of the shed wall system a comer / gable support 228 is secured, and intermediate rafter connectors 230 are secured between neighboring connectors 222 along side walls SR (side right) and SL(side left). The top frame 34 of the wall system comprises a horizontal conduit being in communication with at least one of the one or more vertical concealed conduits 223 extending through the wall system, for extending therethrough electric and communication wiring, piping, etc.

[0136] In the illustrated example, gable 36 (same gable at front and rear of shed; Fig. 16A) is a subassembly composed of several coplanar panels 240,242,244,246 secured to one another along respective edges thereof. With reinforcing elements (metal profiles) 248 and 250 vertically extending therethrough and secured by fasteners. The panels of the gables are connected to one another along their respective edges at a male-female coupling arrangement, similar to what has been discussed herein above in connection with assembling the wall elements 100,102,104.

[0137] After assembling the gables 36 they are mounted over front and rear top frame profiles 220 and secured to the respective intermediate connectors 222 and comer / gable support 228.

[0138] The next step is assembling several rafters 32 (four of them in the illustrated example). As seen in Figs. 17A to 17D, the rafters comprise two common rafters 260 articulated to form a triangular rafter 32 through a ridge coupler 264 (Fig. 17B) and reinforced by a collar tie 268 articulated to the common rafters 260 through a tie coupler 262 (Fig. 17C) and secured to the ridge coupler 264 by a hanger tie 265, wherein suitable screw-fasteners are used to secure the gable structure and articulate the assembled gable to the rafter connectors 230 (Figs. 17D-17F). It is noted that free ends of the rafters extend beyond the walls of the shed, giving rise to an overhang, once roofing is applied thereover.

[0139] The next step, as illustrated in Figs. 18A to 18E, is directed to assembly of the ridge beam generally designated 38, which is assembled of coaxially extending beam segments 272 articulated at the rafter apex by said ridge coupler 264. It is seen that ridge beam 38 has projecting ends 276 extending beyond the front and rear walls of the shed, for supporting a roofing portion to extend beyond the front and rear walls, as swill be shown hereinafter. Then, roofing support slats 280 are placed over each of the four inclined top edges of the gables 36 (Figs 19A and 19B), whereby the roof support system is assembled and roofing can take place (Figs. 20A to 20J).

[0140] Ridge beam 38 can comprise one or more raceways for supporting electrical and telecommunication wiring (not shown). Likewise, ridge beam can comprise is a light source embedded there within.

[0141] A plurality of roofing boards / panels 290, made of extruded polymer material, are fixed over roofing support slats 280 and common rafters 260. Roofing boards 290 are configured at their bottom face with T-like sectioned longitudinal grove 292 (Fig. 20D), fitted for sliding engaging over matching T-like shaped bars 294 (Fig. 20E), whereby roofing boards 290 are snugly received over bars 294 and are secured thereto by clip-like fasteners 298 (Fig. 20J). Neighboring roofing boards 290 are configured with a malefemale type of neighboring edges rendering the roofing liquid impermeable and rigidifying the construction thereof. The roof panels can mimic natural roofing material, e.g. slats or tiles made of wood, slate, ceramics, etc.

[0142] Upon completing assembly of the roof system 30, facia boards 302 are snap- articulated (Figs. 21 A and 2 IB) at respective free ends 293 of roofing boards 290, closing ends of the roofing boards 290 (improving thermal insulation and preventing dirt and animals from entering, as well as for esthetics).

[0143] Turning now to Figs. 22A-22C there is shown an embodiment of the disclosure wherein some of the roofing boards 290 are replaced by skylight panels 304, i.e. light emitting panels, wherein said skylight panels 304 are articulated along their edges to neighboring edges of roofing boards 290 by coupler profiles 308 slidingly articulated along a T-shaped portion 312 to roofing boards 290 and sealingly supporting longitudinal edges 314 of skylight panels 304.

[0144] Figs. 23A-23C exemplify how floor frame 14 is securable to a flat, level ground surface (e.g. concrete), by a plurality of L-shaped brackets 310 secured to floor joists 72 of floor truss 70 and to frame profile 52, with fasteners 312 secured to the ground (not shown).

[0145] Figs. 24A-24B illustrate how shed 10 can be further secured to the ground, by cables 318 extending from eye hooks 320 fixed to comer rafter connectors 230 and tensioned to the ground 324 by ground anchors 326, hence rendering shed 10 wind resistant.

[0146] Figs 25A to 25C illustrate examples of sheds according to the present disclosure, demonstrating modularity of the system. In Fig. 25A shed 400 comprises a floored and roofed front porch 402 with a side screen 404. In Fig. 25B shed 410 is designed with a roofed entryway 412 and Fig. 25C illustrates a shed 420 of increased length and a side porch 424.

[0147] Fig. 26 is a table schematically illustrating examples of shed models, according to embodiments of the disclosure, varying in length, number and position of entrances, and number and position of windows.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular shed, comprising: a floor system comprising a floor construction supporting a flooring, said floor construction comprising a plurality of wall connecting spikes projecting upwards from a floor frame defining a wall boundary of the shed; a wall system comprising a set of modular wall elements connectable to one another along respective side edges, and comprising at least one reinforcing stud extending from a bottom edge to a top edge thereof, the reinforcing studs are connectable over wall connecting spikes; and a roof system comprising a plurality of spaced apart rafters extending from a ridge beam and bearing at a lower portion thereof over a top frame of the wall system, and a shed roofing attachable to the rafters; the wall system further comprises a concealed conduit system comprising one or more vertical conduits, each extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud, and having a detachably attachable cover at an inside face of a wall element.

2. The modular shed of claim 1, wherein the modular wall elements comprise a plurality of panels, said plurality of panels comprising wall panels, door panels, window panels, module width-adjusting panels, and comer panels, and each of said panels in said plurality of panels having at least one stud receiving aperture extending therethrough.

3. The modular shed of claim 2, wherein said wall panels are secured to the wall connecting spikes through the reinforcing studs extending through the wall panels.

4. The modular shed of claim 2 or 3, wherein wall panels are secured to the wall connecting spikes at a concealed conduit, wherein fasteners are non-visible inside of the shed.

5. The modular shed of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the wall panels comprise a plurality of longitudinal spaced apart spaces, at least one of which being a reinforcing stud receptacle space.

6. The modular shed of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least the wall panels are triple layered wall panels, each such triple layered wall panel comprising an outside wall layer, an intermediate wall layer, and an inside wall layer, said outside wall layer being spaced apart from said the intermediate wall layer and forming a major thermal insulating space therebetween, and said inside wall layerbeing spaced apart from said intermediate wall layer and forming a secondary space therebetween.

7. The modular shed of claim 6, wherein the thickness of the concealed conduit is at least the thickness of the secondary space.

8. The modular shed of claim 6 or 7, wherein the secondary space is thinner than the major thermal insulating space.

9. The modular shed of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least portions of the major thermal insulating space are filled by thermally and / or acoustic insulating material.

10. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said wall connecting spikes are connectable into stud receptacles at the floor frame.

11. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said wall connecting spikes are configurable for snug receiving within the reinforcing studs.

12. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said wall connecting spikes are secured to the floor frame.

13. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the floor system further comprises a wall support securable over the floor frame, the wall support comprising a wall engaging portion configurable for supporting and securing thereto a bottom edge of the modular wall elements.

14. The modular shed of claim 13, wherein a wall engaging portion of the wall support comprises a wall mounting portion for securing to the bottom edge of the modular wall elements.

15. The modular shed of claim 14, wherein the wall mounting portion has a U-like cross-section portion for embracing a bottom edge of the modular wall elements.

16. The modular shed of claim 14 or 15, wherein the wall support comprises a gutter portion extending below the wall mounting portion, configurable for collecting wall draining along the wall elements.

17. The modular shed of claim 16, wherein the gutter portion extends external to an outside face of the wall frame.

18. The modular shed of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the wall support comprises apertures extending in register with the stud receptacles of the floor frame, for the wall connecting spikes to project thereto.

19. The modular shed of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein peripheral edges of the flooring are secured between a top surface of the floor frame and a bottom surface of the wall support.

20. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein connectivity of neighboring edges of adjoining modular wall elements is liquid impermeable, light opaque, and / or wind tight.

21. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the concealed conduit is a space complimented by a depressed portion at respective facing side ends of two neighboring wall elements.

22. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein comprising a removable cover for covering said concealed conduit, the removable cover extending flush with an inside surface of a respective wall element.

23. The modular shed of claim 22, wherein said removable cover is snapingly engageable between two side edges of the conduit.

24. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the reinforcing studs are disposed at least along one side edge of a modular wall element.

25. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein an inside width of reinforcing studs corresponds with the size of wall connecting spikes and is configured for snug mounting thereover.

26. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein, wherein opposite rafters are connected to one another by a tie beam.

27. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein free ends of the rafters extend beyond the walls of the shed, forming an overhang.

28. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the shed is securable to the ground by tension cables extending from free ends of the rafter.

29. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the roof system further comprises a collar tie connectable between one or more opposite rafters.

30. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein a lower end portion of the rafters is connectable to the reinforcing studs.

31. The modular shed of claim 30, wherein the rafters are connectable to the reinforcing studs by an end piece connected at an end portion of the rafters and articulable to a reinforcing stud over the top frame of the wall system.

32. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein said top frame of the wall system comprises a horizontal conduit being in communication with at least one of the vertical conduits.

33. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the ridge beam comprises one or more raceways for supporting electrical and telecommunication wiring.

34. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the ridge beam comprises a light source embedded there within.

35. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the ridge beam comprises a plurality of colinear ridge beam segments, with a reinforcing metal beams extending therethrough.

36. The modular shed of claim 35, wherein the ridge beam segments are coaxially connectable to one another by a ridge coupler, wherein rafters are connectable to either side of said ridge coupler, at an inclined relation.

37. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the roof system comprises one or more roof panels.

38. The modular shed of claim 37, wherein at least one of said roof panels is lighttransmitting panels.

39. The modular shed of claim 37 or 38, wherein reinforcing studs of modular wall elements disposed opposite one another under sloping roof panels, are in alignment with one another.

40. The modular shed of any one of claims 1 to 39, further comprising a porch portion extending from a wall element of the shed, and comprising at least one of flooring and roofing.

41. A kit for constructing a modular shed according to a predefined construction scheme, the kit comprising: a) a floor system subassembly comprising: a floor construction comprising a floor frame for constructing a wall boundary of the shed; a plurality of wall connecting spikes connectable to the floor frame; and flooring; b) a wall system subassembly comprising: modular wall elements comprising a plurality of wall panels, door panels window panels, module width-adjusting panels, and comer panels; each of themodular wall elements having at least one reinforcing stud aperture extending from a bottom edge to a top edge thereof, and being connectable to one another along respective side edges; a plurality of reinforcing studs snugly receivable within said reinforcing stud apertures; a concealed conduit system comprising one or more vertical conduits, each extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud aperture; a plurality of detachably attachable conduit covers; and a top wall frame mountable over respective modular wall elements; c) a roof system subassembly comprising: a ridge beam; a plurality of rafters connectable to the ridge beam and to the top wall frame; and a shed roofing attachable to the rafters; d) a plurality of fasteners for securing shed components to one another; and e) a building plan according to the construction scheme.

42. A method for assembling a shed according to claim 1, the method comprises the steps of:(a) assembling a floor system comprising a floor construction supporting a flooring, said floor construction comprising a plurality of wall connecting spikes projecting upwards from a floor frame defining a wall boundary of the shed;(b) assembling a wall system comprising a set of modular wall elements connectable to one another along respective side edges, and comprising at least one reinforcing stud extending from a bottom edge to a top edge thereof; the reinforcing studs are connectable over wall connecting spikes; and wherein the wall system comprises a concealed conduit system comprising one or more vertical conduits, each extending parallel and juxtaposed a reinforcing stud, and having a detachably attachable cover at an inside face of a wall element; and(c) assembling a roof system comprising a plurality of spaced apart rafters extending from a ridge beam and bearing at a lower portion thereof over a top frame of the wall system, and a shed roofing attachable to the rafters.

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