Abstract:
A polyhedral building module may be connected along its sides to manufacture free form buildings or structures. A multiplicity of individual polyhedral building modules may be manufactured remotely and shipped to a building site where they can be attached to one another and the building constructed. Ideally, the polyhedral building modules may be attached to each other using hand tools. Upright members or columns provide support for a roof structure. The building module may be raised off of the ground by brace members attached to the underside of the building module&#39;s floor structure.

Description:
[0001]    This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 62/196,827, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    Applicants&#39; invention relates to a device for building modular structures and method for same. More particularly, it relates to polygonal, often anticipated to be hexagonal, building modules or pods, referred to herein as Hexapods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is a Hexapod building structure. As used herein, the Hexapod is a polygonal structure that has five (5) or more sides, however in a preferred embodiment the Hexapod has six (6) sides. The method of the present invention includes linking multiple Hexapod units into a single, free formed structure. 
         [0004]    The Hexapod structure is designed to withstand inclement weather. It is intended to be able to be assembled in the field (at the building site) with handheld power tools and with a minimal use of cranes and manpower. The structures could be elevated and erected in flood plain areas, as well as have the ability to connect to one another giving flexibility and an extensive array of design possibilities. 
         [0005]    The Hexapod structure combines triangles and squares, but the area enclosed by a hexagon is greater than that enclosed by either a triangle or square. 
         [0006]    The form of a structure constructed from a multiplicity of the Hexapod units can be grouped in harmonious shapes and figures. Platting a development and organizing the hexagonal shapes, the layout surges when form and function are taken into account. When given commercial uses and anthropometric dimensions, the end result is a project that accommodates the Hexapods in perfect symmetry, since there are no empty spaces between the buildings and corridors, resulting in a layout that, by its symmetry, can accommodate as many modules as necessary, given that there are six sides to grow the sets as the project requires. 
         [0007]    The layout of the Hexapods can be placed as needed to accommodate desired natural and landscaped objects, allowing the shape of the Hexapod based structure to be formed around desirable objects and in ways that the building shape can imitate nature. 
         [0008]    Today, construction projects have to be erected taking into consideration both time and budget. Return on investment is always a consideration, and the metal structure of the Hexapod with its bottom concentric rings, and elevated structure, gives the Hexapod an advantage to incorporate innovative materials as well as allowing the use of common dimensional items used in construction. The building configuration adapts to fulfill the needs of inexpensive construction projects, as well as being able to incorporate state of the art materials. Working with metal, adds the advantage of creating additions to the existing in ergonomic fashion. 
         [0009]    The benefits of constructing with a Hexapod metal structure include: 
         [0010]    i. the resulting structure rests on a foundation that is tied to the beams or supports; 
         [0011]    ii. the roofing system is designed to work in conjunction with the vertical beams; 
         [0012]    iii. the Hexapod modules allow for rapid construction and deployment; 
         [0013]    iv. durability; 
         [0014]    v. vermin and pest resistant; 
         [0015]    vi. ease of maintenance; and 
         [0016]    vii. can improve the return on investment for the developer on the project. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top, perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side, perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partial, perspective view of the central portion of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a partial, perspective view of the floor portion of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention, with a ceiling structure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a multiplicity of the present invention combined to create the frame of a structure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a schematic showing possible connections of the present invention to create varying shaped structures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Hexapod 
               
               
                 12 
                 Second circumferential ring member 
               
               
                 14 
                 First circumferential ring member 
               
               
                 16 
                 Radial member 
               
               
                 18 
                 Upper joint 
               
               
                 20 
                 Center piece 
               
               
                 22 
                 Upper circumferential member 
               
               
                 24 
                 Upright member 
               
               
                 26 
                 Bracket 
               
               
                 28 
                 Lower joint 
               
               
                 30 
                 Brace member 
               
               
                 32 
                 Footing 
               
               
                 34 
                 Brace plate 
               
               
                 36 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 38 
                 Ceiling Structure 
               
               
                 100 
                 Landscape feature 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]    Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a top, perspective view of the present invention. The Hexapod  10  of the present invention is a polyhedral, generally anticipated to be hexagonal, building module. Because of the shape, multiple units of the Hexapod  10  can be adjoined and connected in order to create building structures of varying shapes and sizes. The Hexapod  10  has a floor with a top and bottom. The floor structure that is made up of a number of five (5) or more radial members—generally anticipated to be six (6). The floor structure is further made up of a center piece  20  connected to a first end of each of the six (6) radial members  16 , thus the center piece  20  is attached to the bottom of the floor generally at the center of the polyhedral floor. The length of each of the six (6) radial members  16  is approximately equal. The radial members  16  extend outwardly from the center piece  20  with the angles between the radial members  16  being approximately equal. The ends opposite the center piece  20 , or the second ends, of adjacent radial members  16  are connected creating an outer circumference. A second circumferential ring member  12  is attached to the bottom of the floor near the outer circumference of the floor. In order to complete a hexagon will shape, a single Hexapod  10  will have six (6) second circumferential ring members  12  creating an outer circumferential ring. 
         [0026]    Each of the six (6) second circumferential ring members  12  is approximately the same length. Due to the commonality of the sides (or length of the six (6) second circumferential ring members  12 ), multiple Hexapod  10  units can have sides placed adjacent to one another and the sides will be the same length. However, it is anticipated that Hexapods  10  of varying sizes can be used to create building units. 
         [0027]    The floor structure of the Hexapod  10  also may have an intermediary, first ring (or inner circumferential ring) made up of six (6) first circumferential ring members  14 . The six (6) first circumferential ring members  14  are also anticipated to be of approximately equal length with one another. Each and of the six (6) first circumferential ring members  14  are connected at a first end to a radial member  16  at a point along the radial member&#39;s  16  length and at a second end to an adjoining radial member  16  at a point along the adjoining radial member&#39;s  16  length. 
         [0028]    Each radial member  16  is connected to its two (2) adjoining radial members  16  at a midpoint by first circumferential ring members  14  and at its second end by second circumferential ring members  12 . Thus, there is a “double ring” about the center piece  20  in the floor structure of the Hexapod  10 . However, it is anticipated that a second embodiment of the Hexapod  10  could be constructed without the first circumferential ring members  14  leaving only a single, outer ring. 
         [0029]    The point at which the second and of the radial member  16  connects with the second circumferential ring members  12  is the lower joint  28 . Connected at the lower joint  28  and extending upwardly (or at generally a right angle from the plane of the floor) from the floor structure of the Hexapod  10  may be a upright member  24 . The upright members  24  are used to support upper circumferential members  22  and a ceiling structure  38 . While an upright member  24  they be attached at each lower joint  28 , is anticipated that some lower joint  28  may not have an attached upright member  24  in order to allow for the flexibility of rooms within the building structure when multiple Hexapods  10  are connected. The upright members  24  are each attached at the upright member&#39;s  24  first end to a single lower joint  28 . While the radial members  16  extend horizontally from the center piece  20 , the upright members  24  extend vertically from the lower joints  28 . The six (6) upright members  24  (or however many upright members  24  depending upon the embodiment), are connected by upper circumferential members  22 . Each upper circumferential member  22  is connected at one end to the second end of the upright member  24  at a upper joint  18 . Thus, the upper circumferential members  22  are generally parallel with the second circumferential ring members  12 . 
         [0030]    It is anticipated that it may be beneficial to raise the floor structure of the Hexapod  10  up off of the ground. Therefore, a first end of a multiplicity of brace members  30  may be attached to the underside of the floor structure—generally anticipated to be attached to the radial members  16 , but potentially to the first circumferential ring members  14  or second circumferential ring members  12 . The brace members  30  are attached vertically to the floor structure but in the opposite direction from the upright members  24 . The brace members  30  are intended to support the Hexapod  10  and raise it off of the substrate. The second and of the brace members  30  may be attached to a brace plate  34 . The brace plate  34  acts as an apparatus that allows for connection of the brace member  32  the substrate. Alternatively, the brace member  30  and brace plate  34  may be attached to a footing  32 . It is generally anticipated that the footing  32  would be made from concrete or some similar material. The connections of the brace members  30  and brace plates  34  to the substrate or footings  32  act to anchor the Hexapod  10  in place. 
         [0031]    While other building materials could be used, is generally anticipated that the Hexapod  10  will be constructed from steel beams or rods. In order to connect such beams or rods is anticipated that brackets  26  and fasteners  36  may be used. The brackets  26  may be of many different designs but are generally a support that holds or bears the weight of the connected pieces. Often, the brackets  26  and various pieces of the Hexapod  10  will be connected using fasteners  36  and it is anticipated that the fasteners  36  may include all of the regular construction fastening modes such as bolts/nuts, screws, rivets, welds, adhesives, and the like. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a side, perspective view of the present invention. It illustrates the orientation of the various structural members of the Hexapod  10 . The floor structure with its center piece  20 , radial members  16 , and first and second circumferential ring members  14  &amp;  12  are generally horizontal in relation to the substrate or ground. The brace members  30  extend vertically down from the floor structure to the substrate or ground upon which the Hexapod  10  rests. The lower joints  28  baby held together using brackets  26  and fasteners  36 . At the lower joints  28  and extending vertically upward from the floor structure are the upright members  24 . At the opposite end of the upright members  24  from the floor structure are the upper circumferential members  22  which are connected to the upright members  24  at the upper joints  18 . The ring created by the multiplicity of upper circumferential members  22  and support a ceiling structure  38 . When completed, multiple Hexapods  10  will be connected along second circumferential ring members  12  creating a unitary structure with “rooms” within individual Hexapod  10  units or within multiple Hexapods  10 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a partial, perspective view of the central portion of the present invention. It illustrates more clearly how the radial members  16  extend outwardly from the center piece  20 . First ends of the radial members  16  are attached to the center piece  20 . They may be connected using brackets  26  and fasteners  36 . The brace members  30  may also be attached to the radial members  16  using brackets  26  and fasteners  36 . As shown in this figure, the footings  32  are generally anticipated to rest upon the ground or substrate. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a partial, perspective view of the floor portion of the present invention. In this figure, it is as illustrated how steel I-beams may be used in order to construct the floor structure of the Hexapod  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention, with a ceiling structure. In order to complete a building, the Hexapod  10 , or multiplicity of connected Hexapods  10 , need to have roofs (not shown). A ceiling structure  38  may be added at the top of the Hexapod  10  in order to support a roof (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, and annex may be attached to, or hung, from an outside wall. In the overall structure of the connected Hexapods  10 , the Annex could act as an additional room such as a porch, bathroom, closet, or the like. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a multiplicity of the present invention combined to create the frame of a structure. As illustrated in this figure, the Hexapods  10  may be connected to one another in an orientation such as to construct a building that extends around landscape features  100 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a schematic showing possible connections of the present invention to create varying shaped structures. Again, the Hexapods  10  may be connected so as to create a building that “flows” around landscape features  100 . Thus, architecturally pleasing buildings may be created that incorporate natural and desirable features in the landscaping. The building of connected Hexapods  10  is exceptionally flexible because it can be manufactured into virtually any shape. When Hexapods  10  are connected various walls or upright members  24  will become unnecessary or unwanted. It is particularly anticipated that such upright members  24  would not be used in conjunction with Hexapods  10  that are in the interior of a multiple Hexapod  10  structure. 
         [0038]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.