Patent ID: 8316606
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
1. A construction module, comprising: a modular unit having a side, a first face, and a second face, the modular unit having a configuration on one side shaped for connecting with the mating configuration of an opposed adjacent construction module on a substrate; the side of the modular unit comprising a reveal portion, the reveal portion of the modular unit defining a recess, the reveal portion extending from the first face toward the second face, the reveal portion being shaped with at least a substantially flat plane along the longitudinal extent of the side of the modular unit for aligning with the reveal portion of the adjacent construction module; the side of the modular unit further comprising a serpentine portion, the serpentine portion extending from the second face toward the first face, the serpentine portion being shaped with at least a substantially inclined plane relative to the reveal portion along the longitudinal extent of the side of the modular unit, the serpentine portion being coextensively collocated with at least a section of the reveal portion on the same side of the modular unit for aligning with the serpentine portion of the adjacent construction module; the serpentine portion comprising a projection, the projection extending from the modular unit in a generally outwardly direction relative to the modular unit, the projection of the modular unit of the construction module extending substantially the same distance from the reveal portion of the modular unit of the construction module in a generally outwardly direction relative to the modular unit as the recess extending from the reveal portion of the modular unit in a generally inwardly direction relative to the modular unit; and the projection defining an aperture, with the aperture disposed away from the serpentine portion of the projection, with the aperture extending in a generally parallel direction relative to the serpentine portion of the projection, with the aperture unobstructed by a fastener in use, with the aperture configured for receiving a trim fastener, and with the aperture disposed at a predetermined distance away from the serpentine portion of the projection for dissipating an expansion force from an adjacent module so that when slidably coupling the construction module in a first direction toward mating with the opposed adjacent construction module, if the construction module is misaligned with the opposed adjacent construction module in a second direction, then some of the projection of the serpentine portion of the construction module may be obstructed by some of either the reveal portion or the projection of the serpentine portion of the opposed adjacent construction module and thereby producing a visually obvious gap at the joint to immediately alert the installer for timely correction before securing, but if the construction module is aligned with the adjacent construction module, then all of the projection of the serpentine portion of the construction module will fit with the serpentine portion of the adjacent construction module thereby producing no visually obvious gap at the joint to immediately confirm proper alignment and readiness for securing.