Prefabricated modular construction

Abstract: Prefabricated modular construction (of one or two floors), consisting of an above-ground foundation (1), a floor (2) comprised of plates, a series of vertical columns (3) resting on the foundation, and a roof (4) consisting of an open latticework and roofing panels. The side walls (5) consist of panels (35) and window frames (36). The upper enclosure includes a dropped ceiling (6). The various components and parts are connected by nuts and bolts, so that the building can be easily disassembled and all of the components can be reused.

Description: This invention relates to a prefabricated modular construction, specially designed for use as a one- or two-story enclosure or dwelling. More specifically, the invention is intended for the construction of one- or two-story enclosures to be used for commercial purposes. The prefabricated modular constructions currently on the market generally require that additional work be done in advance to prepare the ground, including tbe pouring of concrete foundations and slabs upon which the prefabricated buildings will rest. They also require the use of means of transport, connection, and assembly that are generally significant in terms of volume, cost, and functional reliability. Large, three-dimensional buildings that are highly versatile with regard to both location and placement in service require major means of transportation and special conditions for travel on highways. Prefabricated concrete buildings require heavy transport equipment and special assembly capabilities at the site, in addition to the requirements of the foundation. By publication WO-A-8 302 971 it is known a building system for dismountable structures comprises one or several floor structures which are built up by primary and secondary beams, the primary beams supporting the loads from the floor structure. At their inner sides the primary beams are provided with two horizontal load supporting sliding tracks which are placed one above the other and support a vertical yoke in which the secondary beam is fastened, the yoke being freely movable to any position along the primary beam. The secondary beam has a flange supporting a pendulum which is slidable along the beam and the lower part of which can be moved steplessly along a ceiling which extends perpendiculary to the secondary beam and is designed so as to support ceiling elements. At present there are no industrialised construction systems on the market that allow for the reuse of all parts and can be assembled entirely with nuts and bolts; because of this, certain parts are lost because they must be used in permanent connections, not to mention the loss of the materials used in the foundation. Moreover, conventional prefabricated systems for the construction of buildings and dwellings generally provide few genuinely satisfactory results. Of particular note in this regard are the negative aesthetic aspects of the following: externally visible structural elements; vertical and horizontal reinforcements or supports at the point of connection of panels and prefabricated parts; predominantly vertical modulation of panel connections; rigid modular appearance with connotations of an unstable or temporary structure; poorly-designed reflective metal materials. The purpose of this invention is to develop a prefabricated modular construction that eliminates the disadvantages mentioned above. The construction subject of the invention can be assembled without the need for any excavation or foundation work. Moreover, the construction is designed so that all of its components can be easily assembled and disassembled, with connections being made with nuts and bolts, which permits the subsequent reuse of all the components. Because of the size of said components, they can be easily carried and handled by two people. The construction according to the invention is defined in claim 1 and consists of an above-ground foundation, a floor, a series of vertical columns, a roof, outside walls, and a dropped ceiling. The above-ground foundation consists of a frame having the same outline as the construction, and crossbeams which are level with the frame. The columns and the floor rest on this foundation. Said foundation is designed to be placed on an existing slab and can accommodate slight gradients in the ground, for which purpose leveling devices are provided for the other components of the construction. The frame consists of metal parts with a right angle cross section, which are fastened to one another. The crossbeams are inverted T-beams. The floor of the construction consists of plates resting on and attached to the foundation. Said plates are rectangular in shape and rest on the frame. These plates consist of an upper hardwood layer, a fretted or grooved steel bottom sheet, and a filler of rigid polyurethane, with the whole surrounded by a frame. The vertical columns rest on the foundation and are braced by attachment to the floor plates and a perimetric header beam. These supports are tubular and have a square cross-section. The system is made rigid by the use of diagonal struts. The foundation of the construction may consist of a number of independent bearing plates, an outer frame, and upper frames into which the floor plates are fitted. Said plates are arranged in a single plane and coincide with the vertices of a grid, between which vertices are located the points of support of the vertical columns. In the center of the upper surface of the plates is a more or less hemispherical depression in the same position as the vertex occupied by the plate. The peripheral bearing plates are placed on the outer frame. This frame will preferably have a more or less C-cross section and will run all the way around the perimeter of the construction, with the perimetric bearing plates positioned within and on the bottom. The upper frames mentioned above rest on the floor plates. These frames consist of steel sections approximately equal in length to the side of the grid and of intermediate connections in the same position as the vertices of said grid. Each of these connections is positioned on one of the bearing plates. The connections upon which a column rests have a vertical central opening to allow for the passage of an axial leveling bolt which projects from the bottom of said column. This bolt rests on the bearing plate beneath it, in the depression thereof. On the bottom of the remaining connections, i.e., all those without a column, is a leveling device that rests on the plate immediately beneath it. The bearing plates occupying peripheral positions in the grid, i.e., those located on the outer frame, will preferably have a C-cross section and will have an external contour identical to the that of the interior of the sections of the outer frame so that they can be tightly fastened to them. The walls of these plates and the sections of the outer frame will have holes that can be aligned for the passage of anchor bolts. In this way, said bearing plates can also serve as connectors between the consecutive segments of the outer frame. Bearing plates not positioned at the joints of consecutive sections of the outer frame and those located in the corners of the outline defined by said frame do not require said walls. Each of the sections comprising the frames consists of two externally contiguous longitudinal C-sections, the central members of which are joined, the end members being of different lengths and the lower being the longer of the two. At the ends of the sections of the frames the central member of the two C-sections are slightly separated, leaving a space on either side, which is designed to receive one of the radial lugs of the intermediate connections joining the sections. Each of these intermediate connections consists of a cylindrical sleeve from the exterior of which extend four radial axial wings or lugs arranged in the shape of a cross. These lugs, as mentioned above, fit into the space at the end of the four sections of the frames joined by each connection, the sections and wings being connected by means of bolts passed through the aligned holes. The cylindrical sleeves of the intermediate connections can be divided axially into four identical pieces, each of which extends, from its upright edges, into identical, perpendicular plates which are contiguous and with the adjacent plates of consecutive pieces being joined together to form the radial axial wings of these sleeves. In the connections without vertical columns the bottom of the sleeve rests on a coaxial nut, into which is turned a threaded rod that traverses the sleeve and terminates, at its upper end, in a polygonal head, while the bottom end, which is hemispherical, rests on the depression of the foundation bearing plate beneath it. The lower end of the column terminates in a base plate which has a central threaded opening into which the rod is turned, the upper portion terminating in a head which is accessible through an opening in the column. In the connections without a vertical column, the sleeve is provided, by means of a second internal sleeve, with a coaxial nut into which is turned a threaded rod, the lower end of which is more or less hemispherical and which rests on the depression of the bearing plate beneath it, while the upper end can terminate in a polygonal head or can have a diametrical slot which is accessible through the sleeve of the connection. The rod can also have, below the sleeve, a diametrical drilled hole. The roof consists of an open latticework of pyramidic modules, which is placed atop the vertical columns. The latticework consists of bars with a circular cross section, the ends of which are fastened in connections by means of a vertical bolt. The bars can be connected because the ends are flattened and are provided with a hole. Atop the latticework is placed a layer of roofing panels with rigid polyurethane insulation and peripheral gutters for the collection of water, also made of bent sheet metal. Lapilli-type volcanic gravel can be spread over the surface of the roofing panels. The open latticework extends beyond the roofing and has tronco-pyramidic planters in the inverted pyramidic modules adjacent to the edges. Around the roofing layer is an upper lateral enclosure consisting of pieces of drilled triangular sheet metal positioned between the bars of the latticework at an angle of 45° to the exterior, coinciding with the interior plane of the latticework of the roof. The outside walls of the construction as well as the interior partitions consist of solid panels and window frames attached by nuts and bolts to the vertical columns. The panels can be made of sheet steel with a frame and a filler of rigid polyurethane. Finally, the dropped ceiling consists of panels of insulating material held in place by suspended intermediate frames and the exterior walls by means of an outer frame attached to said exterior walls. The space between the dropped ceiling and the roof serves as a ventilation space. The construction subject of the invention also makes it possible to erect buildings of at least two stories using components that are virtually the same for all floors, so that the construction of buildings of two or more stories does not require an increase in the number of different parts or components used in the construction. Similarly, the simplicity of assembly and disassembly is preserved, comparable in the case of two or more floors to that of single-story buildings. In constructions of two stories the vertical columns of the construction are divided into two identical segments, an upper and lower, both segments having at their lower end a means of support of adjustable height and at their upper end a base plate which is designed, in the case of the lower segment of the columns, to hold the means of support of the upper segment, while in the upper segment said plate is designed to hold the means of support of the roof. In other words, the lower segments of the columns rest on the plates of the foundation, while the upper segments rest on the heads of the lower segments, so that the structure of the upper story is supported on the columns of the structure of the lower story. According to another feature of the invention, the roof of the building and the floor of the second and subsequent stories include identical three-dimensional structures consisting of bars, which structures are attached, by means of connections in the same position as the columns, to the means of support of the roof and the upper segment of the columns. Similarly, the floor of the first and second stories is of identical construction, consisting of a framework comprised of frames upon which the floor plates rest and are arranged, said frames consisting of peripheral sections and intermediate connections. On the columns adjacent to the outer walls, at least, each of the segments of said columns consists of three vertical tubular sections coinciding with other such connections of the structure of the first floor. These sections are connected to one another in each segment by means of a triangular latticework consisting of intermediate diagonal bars, which bars are attached at their ends to the vertical sections. In the upper segment of said columns, the section closest to the wall is axially shifted upward with respect to the other two sections, by a distance equal to the height of the three-dimensional structure of the roof. In the lower segment of said columns, the two sections furthest from the wall are shorter than the third section, by a length equal to the height of the three-dimensional structure of the floor of the second story. The intermediate connections of the frames which are part of the framework of the floor of the second story coincide with the upper connections of the three-dimensional structure supporting said framework, being connected with said connections through the means of support of the upper segments of the columns in the connections where there is coincidence with said columns, while in connections where no such coincidence exists, they are connected by additional means of support, of adjustable height. In the two three-dimensional structures, that of the roof and that of the floor of the second story, the upper and lower connections without columns consist of a vertical bolt, which connects and attaches the ends of the bars joined by said connections. Attached to the bolts of the upper connections of the roof structure are sections or beams for the support of roofing panels, and to the bolts of the lower connections of both the roof structure and the floor of the second story are attached sections from which are suspended dropped ceiling panels. Affixed to the bolts of the upper connections of the structure of the floor of the second story are upper nuts, upon which the intermediate connections of the frames of the floor will rest. With regard to the exterior walls, according to the invention, the various possible types of panels are joined by using a smaller number of sections which, by means of either mutual or direct connection with the adjacent edges of the panel, permit their attachment, with a clearly discernible separation between consecutive panels. Around the roof of the building is a gutter adjacent to the lower surface of the roofing panels and which is supported by clamps attached to the upper end of the threaded rods comprising the elements of support of the roof structure on the columns adjacent to the outer walls. All of the above characteristics as well as others pertaining to the invention and listed in the claims, will be explained in greater detail with the aid of the attached drawings, which illustrate a construction, given by way of non-limitative example and executed in accordance with the characteristics of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prefabricated modular construction, built in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic cross section of the construction of Figure 1, along the line II-II. Figure 3 is a horizontal projection of the foundation of the construction. Figure 4 is a front elevation of one of the parts comprising the frame of the foundation. Figure 5 is a large-scale representation of detail A of Figure 2. Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, including an lengthening device. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing an intermediate support on one of the crossbeams of the foundation. Figure 8 is a front elevation of one of the plates of the outer frame of the foundation upon which one of the vertical columns rests. Figure 9 is a large-scale representation of the overhang of the open latticework of the roof, including the roofing panel. Figure 10 is a large-scale representation of detail B of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a horizontal projection of a preferred embodiment of the foundation. Figure 12 is a partial perspective of the outer frame with the bearing plates in place. Figure 13 is a partial perspective of the frames upon which the floor plates are placed. Figure 14 is a large-scale cross section along line XIV-XIV of Figure 11. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the connection shown in the cross section of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a large-scale cross section along line XVI-XVI of Figure 11. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the connection shown in Figure 16. Figure 18 is an interior perspective view of a two-story construction built in accordance with this invention. Figure 19 is a partial side elevation of the structure of the construction of Figure 18. Figure 20 is a partial horizontal projection of the foundation of the construction of Figure 19. Figure 21 shows the beginning of the columns adjacent to the outside walls, with a cross section of the floor plates. Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21 with a cross section of one of the columns. Figure 23 is a large-scale representation of detail A of Figure 19. Figure 24 is a large-scale representation of detail B of Figure 19. Figure 25 is a large-scale representation of detail C of Figure 19. Figure 26 shows the corner where the structure and the roof meet. Figure 27 is a large-scale detail of the corner of the structure shown in Figure 26. Figure 28 is a cross section of a detail of the point where the exterior panels meet and are connected. Figure 29 is a view similar to Figure 28, showing the connection between an exterior panel and a window panel. Figure 30 is a view similar to Figures 28 and 29 showing the connection between two window panels. The construction of the invention permits the building of structures or dwellings of one or two stories, of any outline or floor plan. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prefabricated modular construction with a rectangular floor plan, built in accordance with the invention. As more clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the construction includes an above-ground foundation, generally indicated by the number 1, a floor indicated by the number 2, a series of vertical columns 3, a roof generally indicated by the number 4, outer walls 5 and a dropped ceiling 6. The above-ground foundation, as shown in Figure 3, consists of an outer frame 7 and a series of crossbeams 8 level with the frame 7. The frame determines the shape of the building. The columns 3 and the floor 2 rest on this foundation. The foundation described above is built in such a way that it can be placed on existing slabs and can accomodate slight gradients. The outer frame consists of metal parts 9 having a right angle cross section, which are fastened to one another. The crossbeams 8 are metal inverted T-beams. The configuration and construction of the metal parts of the outer frame are shown in Figures 4 and 5. On the concave side of said parts 9, which have a right angle cross section, are transverse reinforcing partitions 10, two of which are located at the ends of part 9. In forming the frame 9, the end partitions 10 of consecutive parts are placed against one another and traversed by anchor bolts. The vertical member or wall 11 of the parts 9 are provided, on the concave side, with heads 12 which have a vertical drilled hole. This vertical member or wall 11 also has vertical slots 12. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the floor consists of floor plates, square or rectangular in shape, each of which consists of an upper hardwood layer, indicated by the number 14, a fretted or grooved bottom steel plate, indicated by the number 15, and a filler of rigid polyurethane. The plates so formed are surrounded by a metal section 16 which is Z-shaped along certain edges, while along other edges it is C-shaped, as shown in Figure 7, which also shows a cross-section of the crossbeams 8, in the form of an inverted T, the vertical central member having vertical slots and heads 12 like those described with regard to Figure 4 for the parts comprising the frame. As shown in Figure 5, the central member of the frame of the floor plates is attached to the vertical member or wall 11 of the metal parts of the outer frame by means of bolts 17. At the same time, the upper member of the Z-section rests on vertical threaded rods 18, attached to the heads 12 of the parts 9 of the outer frame. Due to the length of the vertical slots 12 of the parts 9 of the outer frame and the possibility of adjusting the height of the threaded rods 18, the sections 16 of the floor plates can be perfectly supported on the foundation, thus accommodating even slight gradients. The floor plates are supported on the crossbeams 8 in the same way, as shown in Figure 7. If there are gradients exceeding the adjusting capacity of the slots 12 of the parts 9 of the foundation and the crossbeams 8, lengtheners 19 can be used, as shown in Figure 6, as well as longer rods 18. In addition, the method of assembly shown in Figure 6 is the same as that represented in Figure 5 and uses the same reference numbers. The rods 18 preferably have a head at the upper end to support the section 16 and are turned into the drilled hole of the heads 12. Figure 17 shows how the floor plates are placed side by side by means of Z- and C-sections 16. With the arrangement of the foundation shown in Figure 3, the floor plates can be rectangular in shape, one of these plates being represented by a broken line, which is indicated by the number 19, this plate resting, by means of the section 16 thereof, on the outer frame 9 and one of the crossbeams 8. The support of the vertical columns 3 in the above-ground foundation is explained by referring to Figures 2, 3 and 8. As shown in Figure 3, the outer frame 7 provides, in certain parts 9, a base for the vertical columns 3. This base, as can be better observed in Figure 8, consists of a plate 20 located on the horizontal member or wall of the parts 9, coinciding with an opening in the vertical member or wall 11. The columns 3 consist of tubular sections which have at their lower end a coaxial leveling bolt 21, the bottom of which ends in a spherical cap-shaped head that rests on an identically-shaped depression 22 provided in the upper surface of the plate 20. As Figure 3 illustrates, the plates 20 that support the vertical columns 3 are located at the corners of the frame, at the points of contact between the sides of the frame and the crossbeams 8, and in the center of the shorter sides of the frame. In any case, the position of the plates 20 will be determined by the position of the vertical columns. Located near the lower end of the vertical columns 3, as shown in Figure 8, are braces 23 which support the floor plates, to which they are attached by bolts. In addition, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the vertical columns are attached at their upper end to a peripheral header beam 24, for example in the shape of an inverted C, which encloses the upper end of said columns. The rigidity of the system is assured by the use of diagonal struts. The roof 4, as shown in Figures 2, 9 and 10, consists of an open latticework of pyramidic modules of typical configuration, formed by bars as having a circular cross section, the ends of which are attached in connections 26 by means of a vertical bolt. For this purpose, the end sections of the bars are flattened and provided with holes. This open latticework is mounted atop the vertical columns, for which purpose, as shown in Figure 10, each of the columns 3 has at its upper end a threaded axial rod 27, to which is attached the end of the bars 25 joined by the connections of the framework of the roof located on said columns. Figure 10 shows how the flat end of the various bars joined by the connection are overlapped and traversed by the vertical bolt, in this case the threaded rod 27 attached to the upper end of the vertical columns 3. Atop the open latticework described above is the layer of roofing panels 28 (Figures 1 and 9), which can consist of a sheet filled with thermal insulation, rigid polyurethane for example. The roof includes a peripheral gutter 29 for the collection of water, which empties into drainpipes 30. Lapilli-type volcanic gravel can be spread over the surface of the roofing layer 28. As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the open latticework can extend beyond the roofing and the outer walls of the building, overhanging the latter and containing, in inverted pyramidic modules near the outside edge, inverted tronco-pyramidic planters 31, the bottom of which contains a drainage aperture emptying into a gutter 32, which is connected to the drainpipe 30. The sheet comprising the roofing layer 28 is attached to the vertical bolts of the upper connections 26 by means of auxiliary frames 33. Around the roofing layer 28 is an upper lateral enclosure 34 consisting of pieces of drilled triangular sheet metal which are placed between the bars of the open framework at an angle of 45° with regard to the exterior, passing between the roofing layer and the side wall of the building, as will be explained below. The side wall, as shown in Figure 2, as well as the interior partitions of the building, consist of panels 35 and window frames 36, both of which are rectangular and preferably of uniform size, and which are attached by means of nuts and bolts to the vertical columns. The panels and frames are positioned vertically in the same plane, each resting on the vertical edges of the one below. The bottom panel or frame, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, rests on the projecting member of the Z-sections 16 of the floor plates. On the free horizontal edge of the panel or window frame in the top position is a bent sheet metal C-section frame 49 (Figures 9 and 10) with the concave side facing inward. The upper member of this section, as the drawings show, is level with the outer surface of the header section 24. Traversing all the panels in the same vertical column are vertical rods 50, Figure 10, the ends of which are threaded and pass through the lower member of the Z-sections 16, Figure 5, upon which they rest, and the lower member of the upper C-sections, Figure 10, and are held in place by lock nuts. As Figure 5 also illustrates, between the side wall and the floor plates is an angular baseboard 51. As shown in Figure 2, suspended from the open latticework are frames 53, for example of bent sheet metal, which hold the panels 54 of the dropped ceiling. Figure 10 shows that the interior surface of the side wall has an upper frame 55, similar to the baseboard 51, upon which the panels 54 of the dropped ceiling rest. As shown in Figure 9, the bottom of the plates 34 enclosing the sides of the open latticework come into contact with the frame 49 at the upper end of the side wall. The construction can be assembled in the following manner: assembly of the open latticework with all of its components and the raising thereof to the desired height, where it is attached to and held in place by temporary supports; placement of the foundation plates, supports and headers, as well as the diagonal struts; lowering of the open latticework to its final position and removal of the temporary supports; placement and attachment of the roofing sheets; placement and attachment of the floor plates and exterior panels and window frames; dropped ceilings, inner partitions, windows, interior finishing; fixtures, landscaping, etc. The foundation shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13 consists of a series of independent bearing plates, indicated by the numbers 56, 57, and 58, an outer frame indicated by the number 59, and a grid of upper frames 60 into which the floor plates 61 are fitted. The bearing plates are positioned to coincide with the vertices of a grid. The peripheral bearing plates, indicated by the numbers 57 and 58, are located on the outer frame, while the intermediate plates are indicated by the number 56. The outer frame 59 has a grooved C-cross section and is formed, by means of consecutive interconnected segments, by sections into one of which the bearing plates 57 fits. Along two opposite edges of these plates are walls 62, which, like the walls of the outer frame 59, have holes 63 that can be aligned and through which anchor bolts can be passed. In this way, the bearing plates 57 also serve as connectors between the consecutive segments forming the outer frame 59. The plates 58 that do not come into contact with the joints of the segments of the frame 59 do not have to have the walls 62. The intermediate bearing plates 56 can consist of a double plate, the uppermost of which, indicated by the number 64, is smaller and has a depression 65 in the center, more or less hemispherical in shape, as will be seen below. The frames 60 consist of sections 66 more or less equal in length to the side of the grid, and of intermediate connections 67 located at the vertices of the grid, so that each connection is located on a bearing plate. On the underside of these connections 67, as will be explained below, is a leveling element which rests on the depression 65 of the bearing plate immediately beneath it. As shown in Figures 15 and 17, each of the sections 66 of the frames 60 consists of identical longitudinal C-sections 68 which are externally contiguous and the central members 69 of which are joined. The end members 70 and 71 are of different lengths, the upper member 70 being shorter. At the ends of the sections 66, the central member 69 of the two sections 68 are slightly separated, creating an open space 72. The intermediate connections 67, as shown in Figures 15 and 17, consist of a cylindrical sleeve divided axially into four identical parts 73, each of which extends from its upright edges into perpendicular plates 74 of identical dimensions, which fit together consecutively to form the sleeve, as illustrated in the drawings, said plates being provided with holes for the passage of anchor bolts, every two contiguous plates forming an axial radial wing 75, which is inserted into the opening 72 at the end of the sections 66 of the frames joined by the connection. The hole in the center of the plates 74 is aligned with a hole in the central member 69 of the C-sections 68, for the passage of an anchor bolt. When a column 76 is positioned atop the sleeve 67, the bottom of said sleeve rests on a nut 77 into which is turned a threaded rod 78, the bottom end 79 of which is hemispherically shaped so that it will rest on the depression 65 in the plate immediately beneath it, whereas the top end is a polygonal head 80. The rod 78 passes axially through the interior of the sleeve 67 and enters the vertical column 26, the bottom of which ends in a base plate 81 which rests on the sleeve 67 and sections 66 and has a threaded central opening 82 through which the rod 78 is turned. In Figures 14 and 15 the column 76 is positioned on one of the bearing plates 58 inside the outer frame 59. Figure 14 shows how the floor plates 61 end in a peripheral right-angle Z-section 83. The upper end wing of this section rests on the upper wing 70 or the sections 68 of the peripheral frames, while the lower end wing of the Z-section 83 rests on the longer lower wing 71 of the sections 68. In this way, the sections bordering the panels 61, all of which are Z-sections, rest on the upper and lower end wings of the C-sections comprising the sides of the frames. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the outer sides of the peripheral frames include a section 84, attachable to the outer section 68 of the frames, which serves as a support for the panels 85 that form the exterior wall of the building. To the connections without a column 76, as is the case in Figures 6 and 7, under the sleeve that forms said connection, is attached a second coaxial sleeve 86, the bottom of which flares out into a segment with a larger diameter, in which a nut 87 is seated. Into this nut is turned a threaded rod 88, the lower end 89 of which is rounded so that it will rest in the depression 65 of the plate immediately beneath it. The top of the rod 88 can end in a polygonal head 90, or with a diametrical slot, accessible through the sleeve 67. With the configuration described above, the first step in assembling the foundation is the outer frame 59, which defines the outline of the building. Next are the bearing plates 56, 57, and 58, arranged to coincide with the vertices of a grid with the same dimensions as the floor plates 61. Next comes assembly of the frame 60, sliding the sections 66 of the frames into the connections 67, fastening being achieved by bolts passed through the holes in the radial wings 75 of the connections and the central members of the C-sections 68. The connections into which the columns 76 are fitted rest on the nuts 77, while the connections without columns have internal coaxial sleeves 86, Figures 16 and 17. Next, the frame 60 is leveled by means of the threaded rods 78 and 88, and then the floor plates 61, the columns 76, and the other components of the construction are put into place. The construction shown in Figure 18 is a two-story structure with an above-ground foundation (not shown), upon which is assembled a framework < such as that described with regard to Figures 11-17 >, as well as a series of intermediate columns, indicated by the number 91, and columns adjacent to the walls, generally indicated by the number 92. These columns support the roof 4, and an intermediate framework, indicated by the number 93, which serves as the floor of the second story. Figure 20 is a partial horizontal projection of the above-ground foundation, which, < as in the case of Figure 12 >, consists of a series of plates 56 and 58, arranged in rows and columns. The plates 56 and 58 have additional pieces 64 (Figures 22 and 23) provided on the upper side with a central depression 65, more or less hemispherical in shape, upon which the support of the columns 91 and 92 rests, as will be explained below. The plates 58 are much larger than the plates 56 and are designed to hold the support of the composite columns. Between the plates 58 adjacent to the outer walls may be placed intermediate strips or angle bars 94, which may also have additional pieces 64 to support the intermediate columns. As shown in Figure 13, the framework consists of a grid formed of peripheral sections 66 and intermediate connections 67, which connections are located on foundation plates 56 or 58 and are fitted with leveling devices. Placed within the frames formed by the grid are floor panels 61. Some of the plates 61 of the foundation and certain additional pieces 64 of the plates 58 support the intermediate connections 67 of the framework, as will be explained below. Figure 19 is a partial elevation of the structure of the building in Figure 18. Figure 19 shows how the intermediate columns 91 are divided into equal segments, an upper one, which is indicated by the number 91a, and a lower one, which is indicated by the number 91b. Similarly, the peripheral front columns 92 are divided into two segments, an upper one, indicated by the number 92a, and a lower one, indicated by the number 92b. Each of the segments 92a and 92b of the front columns consists of three vertical tubular sections indicated by the number 95, which are connected to one another by means of an intermediate latticework of diagonal bars 96. The three sections 95 of each column 92 rest on the plates 58 of the foundation, thus determining the outline represented on said plates by dotted lines (Figure 20). Both the segments 91a and 91b of the intermediate columns 91, and the sections 95 comprising the segments 92a and 92b of the columns 92, have at their lower end a means of support on the foundation plates, the height of which is adjustable and which is generally referred to by the number 97 in Figure 19. These means of support, as shown in Figure, 21, 22, 23, and 24, consist, in the same manner as that shown in Figures 14-17, of a threaded rod 78, which turns axially on the plate 81 at the bottom end of the section of the segment of the column. The bottom end of this rod is a head 97 with a curved convex surface in the form of a spherical cap, which rests on the corresponding depression 65 of the additional piece 64 of the foundation plates. The threaded rod 78 can be held in place by means of a nut 81, Figures 22 and 24, equipped with radial arms 98 making it easier to use. The tubular sections comprising the segments 91a and 91b of the intermediate columns 91 and the segments 92a and 92b of the columns 92, are provided at their upper end, as shown in Figures 23, 24, 25, and 26, with a cover plate 99 which also has on its upper surface a depression 65 in the form of a spherical cap which is designed, in the lower segment of the columns, to receive the threaded rod 78 which provides the means of support of the upper segment, while in said upper segment the depression 65 is designed to receive the means of support 100 of the roof 4, Figure 27. This roof 4 consists of an open latticework of pyramidic modules of typical configuration, formed by bars 25, preferably tubular sections, which end in plates 101 with a hole in the center, as shown, for example, in Figures 26 and 27. The plates 101 of the bars coming together in the connection are made to overlap and are attached by a vertical anchor bolt, which, in the connections into which columns are fitted, serves as the means 100 of supporting the roof. In this case, the bottom of the bolt 100 ends in a spherical head 107 which rests on the depression 65 of the plate 99 and is held in place by means of a cap-shaped upper plate 103, with an opening for the passage of the threaded rod 100. Also attached to these threaded rods 100 are pieces 104 that hold the pieces 105 which comprise the gutter. In the connections without columns, the anchor bolts of the bars 25, indicated by the number 106, also provide for the attachment of the sections 107 in the upper connections and the sections 108 in the lower connections. The sections 107, together with the pieces 104, support the roof panels 109. From the lower sections 108 can be suspended a dropped ceiling 110. As shown in Figure 27, the threaded rod 100 also serves to attach an upper front panel 110, which can be drilled, and which includes a lower longitudinal protrusion 111, a dovetail for example, which fits into the intermediate sections 112 used to connect the other front panels 85, as will be explained in greater detail by making reference to Figures 19 and 20. The floor of the second story 93 has the same structure as the roof 4, except for the fact that the connections beneath the columns 91 and 92 are traversed by threaded rods 78 which constitute the means of support of each upper segment of the columns on the lower segments thereof, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, while the upper connections of the structure without columns are traversed by bolts 113, as shown in Figures 23 and 24. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the structure of the framework 1 which rests on the above-ground foundation. The intermediate connections 12 which comprise the frame of this framework rest, as seen in Figure 22, on the nuts 81 which are turned onto the rods 78 comprising the supporting elements of the columns on the above-ground foundation. On the above-cited frame of the floor of the second story, which is the same as the roof, is a framework of identical construction to that of the lower floor, including an identical frame 60 consisting of sections 60 and intermediate connections 67, as indicated in Figures 23, 24, and 25, said intermediate connections 67 resting on nuts 81, as in the lower framework, turned onto the rods 78 and the bolts 113. On the frame formed by the sections 66 and connections 67, as in the case of the lower floor, are the floor panels 61. In this way, the floor of the second story has a structure identical to that of the roof and a framework identical to that of the lower story, it being unnecessary to use parts or components for the upper story different from those used on the lower story, which is a tremendous advantage in terms of the development, manufacture and storage of the components. The structure comprising the upper story rests on the lower segments of the columns. As Figure 19 illustrates, on the upper segment 92a of the front columns, the internal and external tubular sections 95 are axially displaced by a distance equal to the height of the frames of the roof and the second story. Similarly, the external and internal sections of the lower segment 92b are of different heights, by a distance equal to the height of the structure of the floor of the second story, the upper ends of the sections 95 thus coinciding with the upper and lower connections of the frames. The ends of the diagonal bars 96 of the latticework of the columns 92 are attached to cover plates 114, as may be more clearly seen for example in Figure 27, which cover plates are attached by bolts 115 to the corresponding section 95. As shown in Figures 18 and 19, in the case where the structure and framework comprising the floor of the second story does not extend to certain front columns, as is the case with the columns indicated by the number 116, said columns would not be divided into two segments; instead, the sections 95 would be continuous and only one piece from top to bottom. Finally, Figures 28-30 show a possible method of joining the covering elements of the outer walls, which can consist of an upper panel of sheet metal 110, Figure 27, intermediate insulating panels 25, and window panels 117, for example. The various panels can be joined along their horizontal edges by means of a connecting section 118, designed to fit partially into longitudinal grooves in the adjacent edges of the panels 85, or by means of additional sections 119 designed to hold, on one side, the window panels 117, while the other side is attached to the intermediate section 118. Level with the floor of the second story a cover panel 119 of smaller thickness can be installed, as shown in Figure 24, to conceal the projecting parts of the intermediate connection 67 of the framework.

Claims: Prefabricated modular construction intended for the construction of buildings of one or two storeys of the type that consists of a foundation, pillars, an upper structure on which is housed the roof and partitioning and carpentry elements, characterized by the fact that the foundation is a surface foundation (1) comprising a perimetric frame (57, 58, 59, 94) coinciding with the periphery of the construction, inside which is fitted a mesh of inner frames (60) composed of a plurality of joined profiles (66) provided at their connection joints with support means comprising means for levelling (88) mounted on support plates (56), with a floor plate (61) being mounted above each said connection joint, said perimetric frame having mounted thereon stayed pillars (76, 95) supporting a spatial lattice of pyramidal modules formed from bars (25) which have mounted on their upper part the roof panels (109), while suspended from their lower part are panels (110) forming a false ceiling, the external and dividing partitions being formed from sheet and insulating panels (85, 110) and glazed panels (117) which are secured to the pillars (76, 95) by means of screws. Construction as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that the perimetric frame (7) consists of consecutive profile sections (59) with a cross-section in the form of a "C" with the opening pointing upwards and with the external wing larger than the internal one, joined by means of pieces (57) secured by screws to each pair of consecutive wings. Construction as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that each inner frame (60) consists of four profiles (66), each one of which is composed of two C-shaped longitudinal profiles backing on to each other externally and united by their central arms, their upper external arms (70) being of shorter length than their lower arms (71), and the ends of those profiles (66) being adapted for allowing their coupling and securing to the respective radial spar (75) of the connection joints (67). Construction as per claim 3, characterized by the fact that the intermediate connection joints (67) consist of a cylindrical collar from which project externally four radial axial spars in a cross (75). Construction as per claim 4, characterized by the fact that the cylindrical collar (86) consists of four equal pieces (18), each one of which is extended, starting from its edges, in separate equal plates (19) perpendicular to each other. Construction as per claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that in the connection joints (67) on which a vertical pillar (76) is present, the base of the collar rests on a coaxial nut (77) in which is screwed a threaded rod (78) which crosses the collar and whose upper end consists of a polygonal head (80) while the lower end is hemispherical (79) and rests in the tread (65) of the support plate (56) facing the foundation. Construction as per claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that in the connection joints (56) on which there is no vertical pillar (76) present, the lower part of the collar houses a second internal collar from the bottom of which projects a length with greater cross-section, in which is inserted a coaxial nut in which is screwed a threaded rod (88) whose lower end is approximately hemispherical in order to rest in the recess (65) of the facing support plate (56), while the upper part ends in a polygonal head (90) located slightly below the upper edge of the external collar. Construction as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that the floor plates (61) are finished along all their edges by profiles (83) with cross-section shaped as a 2 with right-angles, whose upper and lower end wings respectively rest on the upper (70) and lower (71) end arms of the C-shaped profiles (66) which form the sides of the frames (60). Construction as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that the bars (25) constituting the spatial lattice are linked in upper and lower connection joints by means of screws (106) which cross their flattened ends and the respective nuts, which also secure the profiles (107) securing the roof in the upper connection joints, and the profiles (108) for securing the false roof in the lower connection joints. Construction as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that the spatial lattice formed by bars (25) rests on the pillars (76) by means of the actual screw (100) that links the bars (25) and which, for this purpose, has its lower end in the shape of a spherical head (102) resting in the tread (65) of the plate (99) crowing the top of each pillar (76), this spherical head (102) being retained by means of an upper plate (103) in the form of a cap and provided with an opening in order to allow the passage of the threaded rod (100). Construction as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that the union between the different facade walls (85, 117) is carried out by means of a profile (118) partially embedded in longitudinal channels of the adjacent sides of the panels and secured by means of screws or pillars. Construction as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that, when the enclosure has two storeys, the vertical pillars (91, 92) are divided into two equal sections, an upper one (91a, 92a) and a lower one (91b, 92b), the lower ends of which are provided with support means (97) of adjustable height, while their upper ends are provided with a seating (99, 65) which, in the lower section of the pillars, is intended to receive the means of support of the upper section and, in the upper section of those pillars, to receive the means of support of the roof; and by the fact that the roof (4) and the floor of the second storey (93) includes separate and equal three-dimensional structures based on bars (25), whose structures are fastened via the connection joints coinciding with the pillars to the means of support of the roof and upper section of the pillars, with a concrete slab being provided on the structure of the floor of this second storey equal to that which rests on the surface foundation. Construction as per claim 12, characterized by the fact that each one of the pillar sections (92a, 92b) adjacent to the facade walls is composed of one facade profile (95) and two interior profiles (95) joined together by three triangular lattices formed from oblique bars (96), the upper section of the profile (95) closest to the wall being axially displaced upwards with respect to the other two profiles (95) by an amount equal to the height of the three-dimensional structures of the roof (4), and in the lower section the two profiles (95) distant from the wall have a lower height than the third profile (95) by an amount equal to the height of the three-dimensional structure of the floor of the second storey (93). Construction as per claim 13, characterized by the fact that the oblique bars (96) of the lattices of the sections of the pillars adjacent to the walls (92a, 92b) are fastened by their ends to sheet-metal straps (114) that back onto and are fastened to the tubular profiles (95) of those sections by means of screws (115). Construction as per claim 13, characterized by the fact that the floor of the second storey (93) is composed of a concrete slab which, like that of the first storey, is made up of upper frames on the basis of peripheral profiles (66) and intermediate connection joints (67) and panels (14) that are mounted on those frames; the intermediate connection joints (67) coinciding with the supper joints of the three-dimensional structure of that storey (93) with which it is linked via the means of support of the upper sections of the pillars (91b) in the coinciding connection joints with those pillars, and via auxiliary support means for height. Construction as per claim 13 or 15, characterized by the fact that the upper and lower connection joints of the three-dimensional structures not coinciding with pillars (91a, 91b) consist of a vertical screw (113) that links and fastens the ends of the bars (25) meeting at those joints; fastened in the screws (106) of the supper joints of the roof structure (4) being profiles (107) for supporting roof panels (109) and in the screws (106) of the lower connection joints of the roof structure and of the floor of the second storey being profiles (108) from which are suspended false ceiling panels (110); while threaded in the screws of the upper joints (113) of the structure of the floor of the second storey (93) are upper nuts (81) on which rest the intermediate connection joints (67) of the frames of the concrete slab. Construction as per claim 13, characterized by the fact that fitted around the roof (4) is a gutter that closes against the lower surface of the roof panels (109) and is supported by securing pieces (104) that are fastened at the upper end of threaded rods (100), which constitute the support elements of the roof structure on the pillars adjacent to the facade (92a). Construction as per claim 13, characterized by the fact that the top of the facade or side enclosure ends in a perforated sheet panel (110), the upper and lower sides of which have internal wings, the upper one being fastened to the threaded rods (100) constituting the support elements for the roof structure on the pillars adjacent to the facade (92a) below the securing pieces for the gutter, while the lower one shapes a central longitudinal projection (111) for securing to the adjacent profile of the facade.

Inventors: GOYENECHE FLOREZ JOSE CARLOS, GOYENECHE FLOREZ, JOSE CARLOS, Goyeneche Florez, José Carlos
Applicants: GOYENECHE FLOREZ JOSE CARLOS, GOYENECHE FLOREZ, JOSE CARLOS
Application year: 1991
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1