Abstract:
Modular construction panels, systems, and methods of installation are set forth for use in creating buildings. A modular construction panel includes a panel having a height, opposed faces, and opposed generally vertical ends. In one embodiment, a keyway receiver is integral with the panel adjacent one of the ends, and a keyway spline is integral with the panel adjacent the other end. In another embodiment, a keyway receiver is integral with the panel adjacent one of the ends. In still another embodiment, a keyway receiver is integral with the panel adjacent one of the ends. One modular construction system includes first and second panels, each having: a height, opposed faces, opposed generally vertical first and second ends, a keyway receiver at the first end or one of the faces adjacent the first end, and a keyway spline at the second end or one of the faces adjacent the second end.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to modular construction systems used to create buildings, such as single-family housing, multi-family housing, commercial buildings, retail buildings, restaurant and hospitality buildings, religious buildings, institutional buildings, educational buildings, etc. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    A modular construction panel according to one embodiment includes a panel having a height, opposed first and second faces, and opposed generally vertical ends. A keyway receiver is integral with the panel adjacent one of the panel ends, and a keyway spline is integral with the panel adjacent another of the panel ends. The keyway receiver includes a generally planar proximal face, a first offset face, and a second offset face. The proximal face extends generally vertically and has opposed ends. The first offset face extends from one of the proximal face ends, and the first offset face is generally vertical. The first offset face is angled relative to the proximal face to form an opening of more than ninety degrees between the first offset face and the proximal face. The second offset face extends from another of the proximal face ends, and the second offset face is generally vertical. The second offset face is angled relative to the proximal face to form an opening of more than ninety degrees between the second offset face and the proximal face. The angle of the opening between the second offset face and the proximal face is at least thirty percent greater than the angle of the opening between the first offset face and the proximal face. A generally vertical wall extends from the keyway receiver first offset face, and another generally vertical wall extends from the keyway receiver second offset face. The wall extending from the keyway receiver first offset face, the wall extending from the keyway receiver second offset face, and the proximal face are generally parallel. The wall extending from the keyway receiver second offset face is inset toward the proximal face from the wall extending from the keyway receiver first offset face. The keyway spline includes a generally planar distal face, a first offset face, and a second offset face. The distal face extends generally vertically and has opposed ends. The first offset face extends from one of the distal face ends, and the first offset face is generally vertical. The first offset face is angled relative to the distal face more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The second offset face extends from another of the distal face ends, and the second offset face is generally vertical. The second offset face is angled relative to the distal face more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the second offset face and the distal face is at least thirty percent greater than the angle between the first offset face and the distal face. A generally vertical wall extends from the keyway spline first offset face, and another generally vertical wall extends from the keyway spline second offset face. The wall extending from the keyway spline first offset face, the wall extending from the keyway spline second offset face, and the distal face are generally parallel. The wall extending from the keyway spline second offset face is outset toward the distal face from the wall extending from the keyway spline first offset face. 
         [0003]    A modular construction panel according to another embodiment includes a panel and a keyway receiver. The panel has a height, opposed first and second faces, and opposed first and second generally vertical ends, and the keyway receiver is integral with the panel at either the panel first end or one of the panel faces adjacent the panel first end. The keyway receiver is between first and second generally vertical walls that are either generally perpendicular to the panel faces or that comprise one of the panel faces. The keyway receiver includes a generally planar proximal face, a first offset face, and a second offset face. The proximal face extends generally vertically and has opposed first and second ends. The first offset face extends from the proximal face first end to the first wall. The first offset face is generally vertical and is angled relative to the proximal face to form an opening of more than ninety degrees between the first offset face and the proximal face. The second offset face extends from the proximal face second end to the second wall. The second offset face is generally vertical and is angled relative to the proximal face to form an opening of more than ninety degrees between the second offset face and the proximal face. The angle of the opening between the second offset face and the proximal face is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle of the opening between the first offset face and the proximal face. The second wall is inset toward the proximal face from the first wall. 
         [0004]    A modular construction panel according to still another embodiment includes a panel and a keyway spline. The panel has a height, opposed first and second faces, and opposed first and second generally vertical ends. The keyway spline is integral with the panel at either the panel first end or one of the panel faces adjacent the panel first end. The keyway spline is between first and second generally vertical walls that are either generally perpendicular to the panel faces or that comprise one of the panel faces. The keyway spline includes a generally planar distal face, a first offset face, and a second offset face. The distal face extends generally vertically and has opposed first and second ends. The first offset face extends from the distal face first end to the first wall, and the second offset face extends from the distal face second end to the second wall. The first offset face is generally vertical and is angled relative to the distal face more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees; the second offset face is generally vertical and is angled relative to the distal face more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the second offset face and the distal face is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle between the first offset face and the distal face. The second wall is outset toward the distal face from the first wall. 
         [0005]    A modular construction system according to an embodiment includes first and second panels, each having: a height; opposed first and second faces; opposed generally vertical first and second ends; a keyway receiver at either the panel first end or one of the panel faces adjacent the panel first end; and a keyway spline at either the panel second end or one of the panel faces adjacent the panel second end. The keyway receiver of each panel is between first and second generally vertical walls that are either generally perpendicular to the panel faces or that comprise one of the panel faces. The keyway spline of each panel is between third and fourth generally vertical walls that are either generally perpendicular to the panel faces or that comprise one of the panel faces. At least one of the third and fourth walls is separate from at least one of the first and second walls. The keyway receiver of each panel includes: a generally planar proximal face extending generally vertically and having opposed first and second ends; a first offset face extending from the proximal face first end to the first wall, the first offset face being generally vertical and being angled relative to the proximal face to form an opening of more than ninety degrees between the first offset face and the proximal face; and a second offset face extending from the proximal face second end to the second wall, the second offset face being generally vertical and being angled relative to the proximal face to form an opening of more than ninety degrees between the second offset face and the proximal face. The angle of the opening between the second offset face and the proximal face of each panel is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle of the opening between the first offset face and the proximal face of each panel. The second wall of each panel is inset toward the respective proximal face from the respective first wall. The keyway spline of each panel includes: a generally planar distal face extending generally vertically and having opposed first and second ends; a first offset face extending from the distal face first end to the third wall, the first offset face being generally vertical and being angled relative to the distal face more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees; and a second offset face extending from the distal face second end to the fourth wall, the second offset face being generally vertical and being angled relative to the distal face more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the second offset face and the distal face of each panel is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle between the first offset face and the distal face of each panel. The fourth wall of each panel is outset toward the respective distal face from the respective third wall. An extended wall section is formed by juxtaposing the proximal face of the first panel and the distal face of the second panel or by juxtaposing the proximal face of the second panel and the distal face of the first panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a modular construction panel according to one embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1   b  is a partial top view taken from  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0008]      FIG. 1   c  is a partial top view taken from  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0009]      FIG. 1   d  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1   c.    
           [0010]      FIG. 1   e  a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0011]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a modular construction panel according to another embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   b  is a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0013]      FIG. 3   a  a perspective view of a modular construction panel according to still another embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   b  is a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0015]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of an extended wall section created using modular construction panels according to an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4   b  is a top view taken from  FIG. 4   a  and rotated. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4   c  is a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 4   a , rotated, with a corner of one modular construction panel removed for illustration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4   d  is a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 4   a , rotated, with a corner of one modular construction panel removed for illustration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4   e  is a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 4   a.    
           [0020]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of an extended wall section created using modular construction panels according to another embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   b  is a partial perspective view of the area generally indicated in  FIG. 5   a  and rotated. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   c  is a top view taken from  FIG. 5   b  and rotated. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5   d  is a partial perspective view of the area generally indicated in  FIG. 5   a,  rotated, with a corner of one modular construction panel removed for illustration. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5   e  is a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 5   d.    
           [0025]      FIG. 5   f  is a partial perspective view of the area generally indicated in  FIG. 5   a,  with a corner of one modular construction panel removed for illustration. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   g  is a partial perspective view taken from  FIG. 5   f.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  through  1   e,  a modular construction panel  100  according to one embodiment includes a panel  110  having a height  111 , opposed first and second faces  112   a ,  112   b , and opposed ends  114  that are generally vertical. The height  111  may be generally consistent across the panel  110  and may be defined by a generally horizontal top plate face  116  and a generally horizontal bottom bearing face  117 . 
         [0028]    The panel  110  may be constructed of various materials, including conventional materials (e.g., wood, steel, concrete, etc.) and non-conventional materials (e.g., plastics, composites, rubbers, etc.) and may have various dimensions. For example, the distance between the faces  112   a ,  112   b  may be selected for structural or insulating properties. The height  111  may be chosen to correspond to a desired ceiling height, as is typical in conventional construction. The distance between the ends  114  may be forty eight inches (or a multiple of 48 inches, such as 96 inches, 144 inches, etc.) to correspond to typical sheets of plywood used for flooring, or may be any other selected distance. 
         [0029]    A keyway receiver  120  is integral with the panel  110  adjacent one of the ends  114 . As shown in  FIG. 1   b,  the receiver  120  in the modular construction panel  100  is at one end  114  between generally vertical walls  115   a ,  115   b  that define the end  114 . The keyway receiver  120  includes a generally planar proximal face  122  that extends generally vertically and has opposed ends  122   a ,  122   b . A first offset face  124   a  extends between the end  122   a  of the proximal face  122  and the generally vertical wall  115   a , and a second offset face  124   b  extends between the end  122   b  of the proximal face  122  and the generally vertical wall  115   b . The proximal face  122 , the wall  115   a , and the wall  115   b  may be generally parallel to one another, and the wall  115   b  may be inset toward the proximal face  122  from the wall  115   a . In other words, if respective planes were drawn to include the wall  115   a , the wall  115   b , and the proximal face  122 , the plane containing the wall  115   b  may be between the other two planes. 
         [0030]    The first offset face  124   a  is angled relative to the proximal face  122  to form an opening  125   a  of more than ninety degrees between the first offset face  124   a  and the proximal face  122 . The second offset face  124   b  is angled relative to the proximal face  122  to form an opening  125   b  of more than ninety degrees between the second offset face  124   b  and the proximal face  122 . The angle of the opening  125   b  between the second offset face  124   b  and the proximal face  122  is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle of the opening  125   a  between the first offset face  124   a  and the proximal face  122 , and it may be preferable for the angle of the opening  125   b  to be at least thirty percent greater than the angle of the opening  125   a . For example, in one embodiment, the angle of the opening  125   a  is approximately 99.46 degrees and the angle of the opening  125   b  is approximately 135 degrees, but it should be understood that other angles may also be used. It should also be appreciated that the first offset face  124   a  may meet the proximal face  122  and/or the wall  115   a  at either a point or a curve, and that the second offset face  124   b  may meet the proximal face  122  and/or the wall  115   b  at either a point or a curve. 
         [0031]    A keyway spline  130  is integral with the panel  110  adjacent the end  114  that is opposite the end  114  adjacent the keyway receiver  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1   c,  the spline  130  in the modular construction panel  100  is at one end  114  between generally vertical walls  115   c ,  115   d  that define the respective end  114 . The keyway spline  130  includes a generally planar distal face  132  that extends generally vertically and has opposed ends  132   a ,  132   b . A first offset face  134   a  extends between the end  132   a  of the distal face  132  and the generally vertical wall  115   c , and a second offset face  134   b  extends between the end  132   b  of the distal face  132  and the generally vertical wall  115   d.  The distal face  132 , the wall  115   c , and the wall  115   d  may be generally parallel to one another, and the wall  115   d  may be outset toward the distal face  132  from the wall  115   c.  In other words, if respective planes were drawn to include the wall  115   c , the wall  115   d,  and the distal face  132 , the plane containing the wall  115   d  may be between the other two planes. 
         [0032]    The first offset face  134   a  is angled relative to the distal face  132  more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the first offset face  134   a  and the distal face  132  is denoted in  FIG. 1   c  as  135   a . The second offset face  134   b  is angled relative to the distal face  132  more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the second offset face  134   b  and the distal face  132  is denoted in  FIG. 1   c  as  135   b . The angle  135   b  between the second offset face  134   b  and the distal face  132  is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle  125   a  between the first offset face  134   a  and the distal face  132 , and it may be preferable for the angle  135   b  to be at least thirty percent greater than the angle  135   a . For example, in one embodiment, the angle  135   a  is approximately 94.76 degrees and the angle  135   b  is approximately 129.81 degrees, but it should be understood that other angles may also be used. It should also be appreciated that the first offset face  134   a  may meet the distal face  132  and/or the wall  115   c  at either a point or a curve, and that the second offset face  134   b  may meet the distal face  132  and/or the wall  115   d  at either a point or a curve. 
         [0033]    It may be desirable for the angle  135   a  to be between approximately four degrees and approximately six degrees smaller than the angle of the opening  125   a  between the first offset face  124   a  and the proximal face  122 , and for the angle  135   b  to be between approximately four degrees and approximately six degrees smaller than the angle of the opening  125   b  between the second offset face  124   b  and the proximal face  122 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  through  1   e,  one of the faces  112   a ,  112   b  of the panel  110  (e.g., face  112   a ) may be a finished face, or in other words, may include siding, stucco, masonry, or another appropriate finishing material  140 , and may be painted, sealed, or otherwise treated. The finishing material  140  may extend above the top plate face  116  ( FIG. 1   d ) and below the bottom bearing face  117  ( FIG. 1   e ), and may be at least partially outset or inset from the panel ends  114 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c,  the finishing material  140  is partially outset (forming lap joint spline  142   a ) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway receiver  120  and partially inset (forming lap joint receiver  142   b ) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway spline  130 . The wall  115   a  may be longer than the wall  115   b , placing the keyway receiver  120  closer to the interior face (e.g., face  112   b ) of the panel  110  than to the exterior face (e.g., face  112   a ), and the wall  115   c  may be longer than the wall  115   d , placing the keyway spline  130  closer to the interior face (e.g., face  112   b ) of the panel  110  than to the exterior face (e.g., face  112   a ). 
         [0035]    Though not specifically shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the panel  110  may include one or more window, one or more door, insulation, and/or other traditional building components. The panel  110  may be constructed in accordance with building codes to be load bearing, and may be “open-walled”, which allows the modular construction panel  100  to be inspected by local building officials and meets national housing lending requirements for buyers to qualify for conventional home loan financing. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show another embodiment of a modular construction panel, denoted by reference number  200 . The modular construction panel  200  is generally similar to the modular construction panel  100 , except for as set forth herein, shown in the drawings, and/or inherent. Elements of the modular construction panel  200  that are specifically discussed as being different from those of the modular construction panel  100  have reference numbers between 200 and 299. 
         [0037]    The modular construction panel  200  includes a keyway spline  230  instead of the keyway spline  130 . The keyway spline  230  is integral with the panel  110  adjacent the end  114  that is opposite the end  114  adjacent the keyway receiver  120 . As shown in  FIG. 2   b , the keyway spline  230  in the modular construction panel  200  is at one face (e.g., face  112   b ) between generally vertical walls  215   c ,  215   d  that define the face (e.g., face  112   b ). The keyway spline  230  includes a generally planar distal face  232  that extends generally vertically and has opposed ends  232   a ,  232   b . A first offset face  234   a  extends between the end  232   a  of the distal face  232  and the generally vertical wall  215   c , and a second offset face  234   b  extends between the end  232   b  of the distal face  232  and the generally vertical wall  215   d . The distal face  232 , the wall  215   c , and the wall  215   d  may be generally parallel to one another, and the wall  215   d  may be outset toward the distal face  232  from the wall  215   c . In other words, if respective planes were drawn to include the wall  215   c , the wall  215   d , and the distal face  232 , the plane containing the wall  215   d  may be between the other two planes. 
         [0038]    The first offset face  234   a  is angled relative to the distal face  232  more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the first offset face  234   a  and the distal face  232  is denoted in  FIG. 2   b  as  235   a . The second offset face  234   b  is angled relative to the distal face  232  more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the second offset face  234   b  and the distal face  232  is denoted in  FIG. 2   b  as  235   b . The angle  235   b  between the second offset face  234   b  and the distal face  232  is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle  225   a  between the first offset face  234   a  and the distal face  232 , and it may be preferable for the angle  235   b  to be at least thirty percent greater than the angle  235   a . For example, in one embodiment, the angle  235   a  is approximately 94.76 degrees and the angle  235   b  is approximately 129.81 degrees, but it should be understood that other angles may also be used. 
         [0039]    It may be desirable for the angle  235   a  to be between approximately four degrees and approximately six degrees smaller than the angle of the opening  125   a  between the first offset face  124   a  and the proximal face  122 , and for the angle  235   b  to be between approximately four degrees and approximately six degrees smaller than the angle of the opening  125   b  between the second offset face  124   b  and the proximal face  122 . 
         [0040]    As in the modular construction panel  100 , the finishing material  140  may extend above the top plate face  116  and below the bottom bearing face  117 , and may be at least partially outset or inset from the panel ends  114 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the finishing material  140  is partially outset (forming lap joint spline  142   a ) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway receiver  120  and partially inset (forming lap joint receiver  142   b ) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway spline  230 . The wall  215   d  may be longer than the wall  215   c  so that the keyway spline  230  may interact with a keyway receiver  120  as set forth in additional detail below. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show another embodiment of a modular construction panel, denoted by reference number  300 . The modular construction panel  300  is generally similar to the modular construction panel  100 , except for as set forth herein, shown in the drawings, and/or inherent. Elements of the modular construction panel  300  that are specifically discussed as being different from those of the modular construction panel  100  have reference numbers between 300 and 399. 
         [0042]    The modular construction panel  300  includes a keyway spline  330  instead of the keyway spline  130 . The keyway spline  330  is integral with the panel  110  adjacent the end  114  that is opposite the end  114  adjacent the keyway receiver  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3   b,  the keyway spline  330  in the modular construction panel  300  is at one face (e.g., face  112   a ) between generally vertical walls  315   c ,  315   d  that define the face (e.g., face  112   a ). The keyway spline  330  includes a generally planar distal face  332  that extends generally vertically and has opposed ends  332   a ,  332   b . A first offset face  334   a  extends between the end  332   a  of the distal face  332  and the generally vertical wall  315   c , and a second offset face  334   b  extends between the end  332   b  of the distal face  332  and the generally vertical wall  315   d . The distal face  332 , the wall  315   c , and the wall  315   d  may be generally parallel to one another, and the wall  315   d  may be outset toward the distal face  332  from the wall  315   c . In other words, if respective planes were drawn to include the wall  315   c , the wall  315   d , and the distal face  332 , the plane containing the wall  315   d  may be between the other two planes. 
         [0043]    The first offset face  334   a  is angled relative to the distal face  332  more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the first offset face  334   a  and the distal face  332  is denoted in  FIG. 3   b  as  335   a . The second offset face  334   b  is angled relative to the distal face  332  more than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees. The angle between the second offset face  334   b  and the distal face  332  is denoted in  FIG. 3   b  as  335   b . The angle  335   b  between the second offset face  334   b  and the distal face  332  is at least twenty five percent greater than the angle  335   a  between the first offset face  334   a  and the distal face  332 , and it may be preferable for the angle  335   b  to be at least thirty percent greater than the angle  335   a . For example, in one embodiment, the angle  335   a  is approximately 94.76 degrees and the angle  335   b  is approximately 129.81 degrees, but it should be understood that other angles may also be used. 
         [0044]    It may be desirable for the angle  335   a  to be between approximately four degrees and approximately six degrees smaller than the angle of the opening  125   a  between the first offset face  124   a  and the proximal face  122 , and for the angle  335   b  to be between approximately four degrees and approximately six degrees smaller than the angle of the opening  125   b  between the second offset face  124   b  and the proximal face  122 . 
         [0045]    As in the modular construction panel  100 , the finishing material  140  may extend above the top plate face  116  and below the bottom bearing face  117 , and may be at least partially outset or inset from the panel ends  114 . For example, the finishing material  140  is partially outset (forming a lap joint spline) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway receiver  120  and inset (forming lap joint receiver  142   b , as shown in  FIG. 3   b ) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway spline  330 . The wall  315   c  may be longer than the wall  315   d  so that the keyway spline  330  may interact with a keyway receiver  120  as set forth in additional detail below. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 4   a  through  4   e  show one way that the three modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be used to create an extended wall section (e.g., closed perimeter  400 ) if the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  do not include a finished face, or in other words, do not include finishing material  140 . It should be appreciated that the three modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be arranged to form perimeters having various configurations, and that the perimeter  400  is only exemplary. Focusing on  FIGS. 4   b  through  4   e,  it can be seen that the keyway receivers  120  and the keyway splines  130 ,  230 ,  330  interact to couple adjacent modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  together. More particularly, the distal face  132  of the keyway spline  130  of one modular construction panel  100  is juxtaposed with the proximal face  122  of the keyway receiver  120  of one modular construction panel  300  ( FIG. 4   b ); the distal face  332  of the keyway spline  330  of the modular construction panel  300  is juxtaposed with the proximal face  122  of the keyway receiver  120  of one modular construction panel  200  ( FIG. 4   c ); the distal face  232  of the keyway spline  230  of the modular construction panel  200  is juxtaposed with the proximal face  122  of the keyway receiver  120  of another modular construction panel  100  ( FIG. 4   d ); and the distal face  132  of the keyway spline  130  of one modular construction panel  100  is juxtaposed with the proximal face  122  of the keyway receiver  120  of another modular construction panel  100  ( FIG. 4   e ). The configurations of the keyway receivers  120  and the keyway splines  130 ,  230 ,  330  may allow a respective panel  110  to be rotated into place relative to an adjacent stationary panel  110 . Top plates are coupled (e.g., nailed or screwed) to the top plate faces  116  to further secure the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  to one another. 
         [0047]    It should be clear that any number and combination of modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be transported to the construction site and joined in this manner if finishing material  140  is not included, and that only the three types of standard modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  are required. Once the perimeter  400  is formed, the building may be constructed traditionally. In other words, a roof or second floor may be supported by the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300 ; exterior sides of the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be finished with an exterior material; plumbing, air ducts, electricity, and insulation may be placed inside the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300 ; interior sides of the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be finished with drywall or another interior material; etc. If a second floor is added, it may have a perimeter comprised of additional modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300 . To maintain standard construction dimensions, it may be desirable to include additional panels of different lengths; for example, panels  100  that interact with splines  230  may be shorter than other panels  100 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 5   a  through  5   g  show another way that the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be used to create an extended wall section (e.g., closed perimeter  500 ) if the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  each includes a finished face (i.e., finishing material  140 ). It should be appreciated that the modular construction panels  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be arranged to form perimeters having various configurations, and that the perimeter  500  is only exemplary. 
         [0049]    If each modular construction panel  100 ,  200 ,  300  includes a single finished face, then three distinct configurations of the modular construction panel  100  are required in a basic embodiment, resulting in five distinct modular construction panels. More specifically, a first configuration  100 ′ ( FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c ) of the modular construction panel  100  has finishing material  140  that is partially outset (forming lap joint spline  142   a ) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway receiver  120  for interacting with a lap joint receiver  142   b;  a second configuration  100 ″ ( FIGS. 5   d  and  5   e ) of the modular construction panel  100  has finishing material  140  that is entirely offset (forming extension  142   a ″) for covering an end  114  of the modular construction panel  200 ; and a third configuration  100 ′″ ( FIGS. 5   f  and  5   g ) of the modular construction panel  100  has finishing material  140  that is at least partially inset (forming lap joint receiver  142   a ′″) for mating with finishing material  140  of the modular construction panel  300 . Each of the configurations  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″ of the modular construction panel  100  may have finishing material  140  that is partially inset (forming lap joint receiver  142   b ) at the end  114  adjacent the keyway spline  130  ( FIG. 1   c ). 
         [0050]    As such, in the basic pre-finished embodiment, configuration  100 ″ of the modular construction panel  100  must be used only with the modular construction panel  200  to form an outside corner (i.e., though interaction between keyway receiver  120  and keyway spline  230 , as set forth above), and configuration  100 ′″ of the modular construction panel  100  must be used only with the modular construction panel  300  to form an inside corner (i.e., through interaction between keyway receiver  120  and keyway spline  330 , as set forth above). Configuration  100 ′ of the modular construction panel  100  may be used with any of the modular construction panels  100  (i.e., configuration  100 ′, configuration  100 ″, or configuration  100 ′″) to form an extended wall section that is straight (i.e., through interaction between keyway receiver  120  and keyway spline  130 . Especially at the corners (i.e., where a modular construction panel  100  meets a modular construction panel  200  to form an outside corner and where a modular construction panel  100  meets a modular construction panel  300  to form an inside corner), trim, caulk, or another finishing material may cover a portion of the finish material  140 . Exemplary trim  149  is shown only in  FIG. 5   a.    
         [0051]    It should be appreciated that in a more complex pre-finished embodiment, additional configurations of the modular construction panels  200 ,  300  may be included that are similar to configurations  100 ″,  100 ′″ so that modular construction panels  200 ,  300  may be coupled to one another. It should also be understood that other embodiments may include finishing material  140  on more than one side of a respective panel  110 , and that the finishing material  140  on other panels  110  may need to be altered as a result. 
         [0052]    Those skilled in the art appreciate that variations from the specified embodiments disclosed above are contemplated herein and that the described embodiments are not limiting. The description should not be restricted to the above embodiments, but should be measured by the following claims.