Modular building structures comprised of extruded components

• US 6,295,778 B1
• Filed: 08/18/1998
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Crane Building Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Crane Products Ltd.
• Inventors: Burt, Kevin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chavez, Patrick J.
• Application Number:
  US09/136,530
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 522/33, 525/926, 525/921, 523/099, 527/931, 523/091.2
• US Class Current: 52/592.6
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/12 the elements consisting of other material
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/18 Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons E04B1/32 - E04B1/36 take precedence; elongated load-supporting parts as elements, trusses, truss-like structures E04C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/20 of plastics
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/52 with special adaptations for auxiliary purposes, e.g. serving for locating conduits E04C2/54 takes precedence; block-shaped elements therefor E04C1/39; floor structures incorporating ducts E04B5/48

Abstract

A modular wall structure comprised of a plurality of horizontally-oriented wall panels which are extruded components that are connected together in a stack. A plurality of modular wall structures of the present invention may be connected by fastening panels. The fastening panels may also be extruded components. In addition, preferred embodiments of the present invention may include a foundation, a roof, and an interior wall section. The roof may be comprised of a roofing panel which is an extruded component. Similarly, the interior wall section may be comprised of a plurality of horizontally-oriented interior wall panels which are extruded components that are connected together in a stack.

Claims

1. A modular wall structure comprising:

a plurality of horizontally-oriented wall panels connected together in a substantially vertical stack, each of said wall panels being an extruded, synthetic component having at least one interior hollow, at least one receptacle, at least one protrusion, and at least one outer portion angled relative to vertical to simulate at least one row of horizontally-oriented siding;

a first fastening panel connected to a left edge of said modular wall structure;

a second fastening panel connected to a right edge of said modular wall structure; and

a reinforcing member extending through one of said at least one interior hollow in one of said wall panels, said reinforcing member having a left end portion secured to said first fastening panel and a right end portion secured to said second fastening panel;

wherein adjacent wall panels are connected together by inserting said at least one protrusion of a first adjacent wall panel into said at least one receptacle of a second adjacent wall panel.

2. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein each of said wall panels comprises:

a top side having said at least one protrusion; and

a bottom side connected to said top side, said bottom side having said at least one receptacle.

3. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein each of said wall panels comprises:

a top side having said at least one receptacle; and

a bottom side connected to said top side, said bottom side having said at least one protrusion.

4. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein said at least one receptacle is a channel.

5. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion of said first adjacent wall panel is adapted to mate with said at least one receptacle of said second adjacent wall panel.

6. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein said adjacent wall panels are interlocked.

7. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing member is comprised of means for reinforcing said modular wall structure.

8. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein said first and second fastening panels are extruded components.

9. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said fastening panels is adapted to connect said modular wall structure to another wall structure.

10. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein:

one of said wall panels has a side edge which defines a notch; and

one of said fastening panels has a penetrating member connected to a surface that is substantially adjacent to one of said edges of said modular wall structure, said penetrating member extending into said notch such that lateral movement of said one of said wall panels in relation to said one of said fastening panels is limited.

11. The modular wall structure of claim 1 wherein:

a plurality of said wall panels have side edges that define notches; and

one of said fastening panels has a penetrating member connected to a surface that is substantially adjacent to one of said edges of said modular wall structure, said penetrating member extending into said notches such that lateral movement of said wall panels in relation to said one of said fastening panels is limited.

12. A building system comprising:

at least one horizontally-oriented wall panel having a generally vertical side edge that defines at least one interior hollow, said wall panel being an extruded, synthetic component having at least one receptacle, at least one protrusion and at least one outer portion angled relative to vertical to simulate at least one row of horizontally-oriented siding;

an expansion block connected to said generally vertical side edge; and

a vertically-oriented fastening panel abutted against said expansion block;

wherein said expansion block is adapted to expand and contract to compensate for expansion and contraction of said at least one horizontally-oriented wall panel and said vertically-oriented fastening panel; and

a reinforcing member extending through one of said at least one interior hollow in said wall panel, said reinforcing member having an end portion secured to said fastening panel.

13. The building system of claim 12 wherein said expansion block is comprised of elastic material.

14. The building system of claim 13 wherein said expansion block is comprised of a foamed polymer.