Patent Publication Number: US-2005115165-A1

Title: Multi-level accomodation unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable  
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates to multi-level building structures providing accommodations for people.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      It has long been recognized that apartments, condominiums and other types of accommodation units can be placed in high rise buildings to realize economies not afforded for structures built as individual ground level structures. Various reasons have been proposed for providing such high rise building accommodation units. It may be for example, that land costs prohibit the placement of individual accommodation units at ground level. It may also be that to have a number of accommodation units located in a single high rise structure will provide comfort, security and convenience for persons utilizing such structures.  
      At the present time, for example, there are large numbers of elderly persons needing some measure of healthcare for themselves and desirous of having dignified residences, requiring little care. For such people, it is often advantageous to live in a high rise structure with individual accommodation units but having necessary assistance and convenience accommodation facilities in the same structure.  
      Generally, cost savings result from the placement of multiple accommodation units in a multi-level building structures. The cost savings make it more affordable for many persons to be able to reside in individual accommodation units. Naturally, if construction costs of the multi-level structure are maintained at a minimum the structure becomes more affordable as a residence for more people. Likewise, if construction costs are kept to a minimum, service and convenience providers can better afford to locate in accommodation units in a multi-level structure.  
      With proper construction methods and the use of properly formed core wall structures, a high rise building can be constructed that will provide for a maximum number of accommodation units in a given height of the building. The accommodation units can also be easily modified to meet the needs of different users of such accommodation units.  
      It has long been recognized that core walls either pre-fabricated or constructed in place, can be produced that incorporate the placement of connection members for plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilating and other similar systems and the use of such core walls can greatly reduce the construction costs of a building.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,165 discloses a plastic plumbing wall having integrally formed surface panels and a foamed core that encloses, supports and positions hot and cold water pipes and drain and vent piping, along with electrical wiring.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,574 discloses a pre-fabricated plumbing partition. As disclosed a plumbing assembly is encapsulated in a cellular polyurethane block. Water supply or drain nipples protruding from the block permit two or more such partitions to be joined together to form an easily transported package unit for installation as a building wall.  
      In the past, core walls have included embedded distribution connectors for plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning and other similar systems. The embedded distribution connectors are attached to corresponding elements fed into and out of the building in which the core wall is placed, through under-floor chases. The distribution connectors located in the under-floor chases connect to additional main connector components located in vertical chases extending the height of the building. This means that the overall building height must include the height of the under-floor chases.  
      Furthermore, with the distribution connectors embedded in a core wall connecting through a floor to corresponding connectors in the under-floor chase, it is necessary to penetrate the floor such that floor strength is weakened and sounds are easily transmitted from one accommodation unit to another, above or below.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,937 discloses a multiple story building construction wherein spaced apart parallel foundation beams have service and sewer conduits therein and wherein a service wall unit supported on the first floor of the building extends upwardly beyond a second floor as a core unit having service pipes, a sewer pipe and a vent pipe embedded therein. The service wall can be fabricated and then moved into position over the foundation beams to connect the service pipes, sewer pipes and vent pipes through the corresponding pipes in the wall core.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,821,818 discloses a unitary building wall having a plurality of sets of passageways disposed therein. The passageways serve as conduits for introducing necessary utilities to dwelling units and a plurality of sets of tree-like passageways are provided. The unitary building wall can be fabricated off-site and can be moved into position within a supporting wall structure of a building. The building wall can be stacked vertically.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,320 discloses a pre-fabricated insulated wall with electrical circuit connectors housed therein.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,912 also discloses a pre-fabricated electrical wall structure.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,164 discloses a pre-fabricated wall panel using wall studs and placement of service lines and drains within the walls to extend through the wall studs. Wall studs, together with a top frame plate and a bottom frame plate form a pre-formed wall structure that is positioned within buildings.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,903 discloses a panelized construction system. The panelized construction system of the invention is intended to provide interior and exterior walls of an add-on structure for an existing house, or the like.  
      With the cost of land, particularly in urban areas, being high and consistently rising, it is important to be able to construct people accommodation units that will comfortably accommodate people while using a minimum amount of such valuable land. Consequently, it has been found very desirable to build upward from the ground, with buildings that will suitably accommodate people who do not need, or no longer need, large living spaces, as well as meeting social, personal and commercial needs of people. With high rise accommodation units, it is possible to comfortably accommodate large numbers of people and if the construction costs for such buildings are maintained as low as possible, many more people can afford to utilize the buildings, when completed.  
      In the past, core walls have included embedded plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning and other similar connection members. The embedded connection members of core walls are connected to corresponding distribution connect rs fed into and out of the building in which the core wall is placed through vertical and under-floor chases. The distribution connectors located in the under-floor chases attach to main connectors located in vertical chases extending essentially the height of the building. The vertical chases are formed independently of the core walls and the connection members in the core walls connect to distribution members in the under-floor chases and then penetrate the walls of the vertical chases to connect to corresponding distribution connectors in the vertical chases. This means that the overall building height must include the height of the under-floor chases and the building must be made large enough to accommodate the vertical chases formed in the common areas.  
      Space for the vertical chases is normally provided in hallways or common areas in the buildings in which the core walls are installed.  
      With connection members embedded in a core wall connecting through a floor to corresponding distribution connectors in an under floor-chase, it is necessary to penetrate the floor such that floor strength is weakened and sounds are easily transmitted from one dwelling unit to another, above or below.  
      Even if core walls have connection members that connect through an end of the core wall to a vertical chase, the chase is generally formed with construction of the floor of the building and the connection members at the end of the core wall feeding into the vertical chase, located in the hallway or other common building space.  
      The core wall of the present invention is constructed to accommodate use in any selected people accommodation, i.e., dwelling, office, shop, etc.  
      The structure of the present invention has a low ceiling height requirement for individual people accommodations, utilizing core walls pre-formed off-site and placed in the accommodations in a manner to facilitate easy placement and connection of service lines, electrical lines and disposal lines, for example. The core walls are constructed to have a vertical chase and components arranged such that when placed in accommodation units the nly penetration of the dwelling floor is at the vertical chase and the vertical chase is made to include part of the core wall, so that additional building space is not required for a separate vertical chase.  
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
      Principal objects of the present invention are to provide a people accommodating building that will incorporate reduced height between floors of the building; a reduction of floor plane penetrations that traditionally weaken multi-level buildings; and to reduce sound transmission between upper and lower accommodation units.  
      Another object is to provide a core wall with a vertical chase formed therein so that a separate vertical chase, requiring connectors for the building is not required in common space of the building.  
      A core wall of the invention has the necessary plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling connection members and any other such connection members, embedded therein and connected to couplings at one or both faces of the core wall to connect to a wide variety of auxiliary components, such as toilets, bathtubs, showers, sinks, heating and air conditioning and gas and electric powered appliances. In addition, the core wall is constructed such that all of the connection members from within the wall connect to corresponding main connectors in a vertical chase that is formed as a portion of the core wall. Some, or all, of the connector members may be connected to auxiliary components in any given people accommodation. For any such people accommodation some of the connection members may not be used. The core wall also serves as a positive sound barrier between accommodation units at opposite sides of the core wall.  
     FEATURES OF THE INVENTION  
      Principal features of the invention include the use of a core wall that may be manufactured off-site or at the site of construction of a multiple story accommodation units. The core wall has exterior wall surfaces constructed of required materials of a strength and thickness necessary to meet building standards in the location in which the accommodation units are being constructed. The exterior surfaces of each core wall are spaced apart and connection members for plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems along with vents and other structures necessary for the comfort of people in the constructed accommodation units are incorporated between the opposite wall surfaces of the core wall.  
      A vertical chase is provided between a portion of the faces of each core wall and the connection members within the core wall are attached to corresponding main connector members extending vertically through the chase and aligned floor openings.  
      The connection members connect through one or both faces of the core wall to standard convenience components, such as toilets, bathtubs, showers, sinks, electrical outlets and fixtures, heating and cooling apparatus, vents and the like.  
      Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent to a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from the following drawings, detailed description and claims.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the Drawings  
       FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a core wall, as conventionally found in high rise people accommodation units;  
       FIG. 2 , a sectional view through a conventional core wall and showing plumbing, heating, electrical and other standard components connected as distribution members from within the wall to corresponding distribution members in an under-floor chase and then to corresponding main connectors in a vertical chase of a conventional people accommodation unit;  
       FIG. 3 , a view like that of  FIG. 1 , but showing the people accommodation units of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4 , a view like that of  FIG. 3  with a face panel of the core wall removed to show the interior construction of the core wall and the chase in the core wall;  
       FIG. 5 , a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 6 , an enlarged view of the area within line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 7 , a vertical section taken on line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 8 , an enlarged section taken on line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 9 , an enlarged section taken on line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 3 , a fragmentary sectional view taken through a typical core wall of the invention;  
       FIG. 10 , an enlarged vertical section through a portion of a typical core wall of the invention;  
       FIG. 11 , a view like that of  FIG. 10 , but showing channel members as interior stud components of the core wall;  
       FIG. 12 , a view like that of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , but showing still another embodiment of the core wall of the invention, utilizing additional support components;  
       FIG. 13 , a view like that of  FIG. 5 , but showing standard convenience components positioned at both sides of a core wall; and  
       FIG. 14 , a view like that of  FIG. 7 , but also showing standard convenience components at both sides of a core wall. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring now the Drawings  
      Prior Art  
      As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , conventional multi-story buildings often include a floor  10  of people accommodation unit  12  and a floor  14  of a people accommodation unit  16  positioned directly above the lower accommodation unit  12 . As shown, each accommodation unit  12  and  16  includes a shower  18 , a toilet  20 , and a lavatory  22  as standard convenience components in the accommodation unit.  
      A ceiling  24  for each accommodation unit is suspended from the floor  14  above, by wires  26 . The space between floor  14  and ceiling  24  serves as an under-floor chase  28  in which distribution connection members for standard convenience components, i.e., plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning components are located. More specifically, a water inlet conduit  30  extends as a connection member through a wall  32  of a vertical chase  33  and into the under-floor chase  28 . The water inlet conduit  30  is the connected by a line  34  into a core wall  36  and to a conduit  38  extending vertically through the core wall  36 . Water line  34  is attached by connecting lines  40  through the core wall to the shower  18 , toilet  20  and lavatory  22 . Drain lines  44  and  46 , respectively, from the shower and the toilet, connect to a drain pipe  48  within the under ceiling chase  28  and extend through the wall  32 . The water inlet pipe  30  and drain line  44  are connected to inlet and drain lines located in vertical chase  33 , after passing through wall  32 . Other accommodation units above and/or below accommodation unit  12  and  16 , similarly have water lines  30  and drain lines  44  and  46  extending downwardly into the under ceiling chases positioned between the floor  14  of an upper accommodation unit and the ceiling  24  of a lower accommodation unit and such pipes pass through a wall  32  to connect to pipes in the vertical chase  33 .  
      Each core wall  36  is mounted between a floor  10  and floor  14  and holes  52  are punched through the floors  10  and  14  to provide for coupling of the conduits  38  in the vertically stacked core walls and through the floors  10  and  14 . Clearly, other conduits, electrical lines and other connection components can run through the horizontal under-floor chase  28 , through the wall  32  and into the vertical chase  33  for connection to vertically extending connectors, i.e., pipes and elements (not shown) extending the height of the building within such vertical chase.  
     The Invention  
      In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 3-14 , a slab  60  has a face  60 A that serves as a floor for an accommodation unit  62  and has a surface  60 B that is a ceiling for an accommodation unit  64 . Another slab  66  similarly has an upper surface  66 A that serves as a floor for accommodation unit  64  and a lower surface  66 B that serves as a ceiling for an accommodation unit  74  located beneath accommodation unit  64 . A core wall  68  extends between support walls  70  and  72  of the upper accommodation unit  62  and a similar core wall  76  extends between support walls  78  and  80  of the lower accommodation unit  64 . The core walls  68  and  76  are identically constructed and each extends from the floor of the associated accommodation unit to the ceiling thereof.  
      In  FIGS. 3 and 4  a lavatory  82  is suspended from a face of each core wall  68  and  76  and a rear discharge toilet  84  rests on the floor surface of each slab  60  and  66 . A shower  86  is also mounted on the floor of each slab  60  and  66  and has a raised shower pan  88  in the bottom of the shower.  
      If desired, a medicine cabinet  90 , a light  92  and an exhaust fan  94  may also be mounted to the face of each core wall. A fire and smoke detector  96  may be mounted to the face of core wall  76  and sprinklers  98 , operated by actuation of detector  96 , may be spaced along and project from the face of the core wall. A gas line coupling  100  projects to the face of the core wall  76  and an electrical outlet  102 , which may accommodate a variety of electrical devices, may be positioned to project to the wall face. Clearly more than one such water or gas line and electrical outlet may be provided at a face of the core wall.  
      Each core wall  68  and  76  includes a pair of spaced apart wall panels  106  and  108  of required thickness and strength. The wall panel  106  and  108  extend fully between the accommodation unit support walls  70 ,  72 ,  78  and  80 . they also extend between the ceiling and floor surfaces of the accommodation units, such as the ceiling surface  60 B of slab  60  and the floor surface  66 A of slab  66 . A vertical chase  110  is formed within each core wall  68  and  76  and a removable access panel  112  may be provided in a wall surface  106  to allow access to the chase  110  and to facilitate coupling of connection members and connector members. The chase  110  in each core wall extends vertically, fully through the core wall from a bottom edge to a top edge to receive vertical connector members for plumbing, electrical and venting systems. The remainder of the space between wall panels  106  and  108  is filled with a structural foam core  116  that embeds connection members extending into the core walls and into the vertical chase to be connected to the vertical connector members. The vertical chases  110  of core walls  68  and  76  are aligned and openings  118  provided through the slabs  60  and  66  between the aligned chases  110  allow vertically extending connector members in chases of vertically aligned core walls to be connected.  
      The lavatory  82 , rear discharge toilet  84  and shower  86 , if any, of each accommodation unit, are all positioned such that their discharges will be directed into the chase  110  of the core wall of the accommodation unit. Thus, the discharge for lavatory  82  connects to fitting  120  projecting through the face of the core wall  110  and through a discharge line connector  122  to a vertically extending waste line connector member  124 . The waste from toilet  84  also discharges through a coupling on the outer surface of core wall  76 , into a discharge line connector  122  and into the waste line  124  connector member. Waste water from the shower  86  is discharged through a coupling on the face of core wall  76  into a waste line connection member  126 . The waste line connection members  124  and  126  each connect into a vertical main waste line connector member  128  extending vertically through the aligned chase  110  and through slabs  60  and  66  of the accommodation units.  
      Hot and cold water line connector members  132  and  134  extend vertically through the chase  110  to a mixing valve  136  that is connected by connector lines  138  and  140  to couplings  142  and  144 , respectively, of the control valve  146  of the lavatory  82 . Similarly, hot and cold water line connector members  150  and  152  extend vertically through the chase to a mixer valve  154  and then through connection lines  156  and  158 , respectively, to couplings  160  and  162 . The couplings  160  and  162  are connected to a mixer valve  164  of the shower  86 .  
      Another cold water inlet line connector member  170  extends vertically through the chase  110  and is connected to each of the sprinklers  98  spaced along the face of the core wall  76  by a connection line  172 . Water meters  174  are provided in the water inlet lines and the water meters are electrically connected to a electronic readout meter  176 . Meter reader  176  is positioned on the outside of wall  70  where it can be viewed from outside the accommodation unit or accommodation units for which it is connected. An electrical duct connector member  178  receives the electrical wiring vertically through the chase  110  and the wiring is connected via connection members to the various electrical components, including the meter  176  and electrical and telephone outlets, such as shown at  102 . Telephone and internet connection members are connected to connection members in the chase  110  and are then connected to some of the outlets  102  provided therefore in a surface of the core wall  76 .  
      An exhaust duct or vent connector member  190  extends vertically through the chase  110  and is connected to exhaust fan  94  via a connection member such that air from the accommodation unit exhausted by fan  94  is discharged through the duct  190  or is re-circulated. A gas line connector member  192  extends vertically through the chase  110  and a connection line  194  interconnects the line  192  and a coupling  160  projecting to a face of the core wall. A gas meter  196  in line  194  is connected to the electronic readout meter  176  to provide for reading of the amount of gas passed through line  194 .  
      The access panel  112  opens to allow access to the interior of the chase  110  and is made of a suitable material that will provide sound insulation, as well as sufficient strength. Structural foam  116  is provided at the opposite sides of chase  110 , as well as around the connection members extending into the core wall from the chase  110  for connection to the sprinklers electrical outlets and other components extending to an outside face of the core wall. The structural foam  116  extends fully around the chase  110  and provides a seal at each hole  118  in a floor through which the vertical connector members passed through the vertically aligned chases  110  are connected. It should be noted that the only penetration required through adjacent floors of the vertically positioned dwelling units is the hole  118  provided to allow the vertically extending connector members through chases  110  to be connected.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the core walls  68  and  76  preferably each have gypsum board sheets  200  on opposite faces thereof. One or more sheets of oriented strand board  202  or other suitable material that will meet code requirements, such as strong wood, metal or plastic material is positioned inside each of the gypsum board faces. A U-shaped channel member  204  fits over the top of each core wall and snugly against the ceiling surface  60 B of an upper slab  60 . L-shaped brackets  206  have one leg  208  nailed into the ceiling surface  60 B and another leg  210  extending into the structural foam core to be secured by nails  212  inserted through the gypsum board and/or oriented strand board and the leg  208 . Crown moldings  218  are provided between the ceiling  60 A and the upper ends of the core walls to hide the connecting structure.  
      In similar fashion, a U-shaped channel  220  is provided at the bottom of each face of the core wall  68  and  76  and L-shaped brackets have one leg nailed into the floor  66 A and one leg extending into the foam material  116  of the core wall. Nails  224  in the legs secure the core wall to the floor and base moldings  226  may be provided to hide the adjustment means.  
       FIGS. 10, 11  and  12  show various embodiments of construction of core walls. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the core wall  228  has outer surfaces  230  and  232  formed from gypsum board and/or other good sound insulating material. The gypsum board is placed over an oriented strand board  234  and the space between the separated oriented strand boards is filled with structural foam  116 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 11 , the same construction is used for the wall core  236 , including the gypsum board facings  238 , the inner layers  240  of oriented strand boards and structural foam material  116  between them. However, spaced apart U-shaped channel members  242  are provided as studs between the faces of the panel to provide additional strength to the core wall. It will be apparent that connection members passed through the core wall  236  will pass through openings  246  provided in the channel members  242  to accommodate passage of such connection members.  
       FIG. 12  shows still another embodiment of core wall of the invention. In this embodiment, core wall  250  has the spaced apart gypsum board facing  252  and oriented strand board sheets  254  separated by a structural foam core  116  having spaced apart facing channel members  256  as studs therein. In this embodiment it will be apparent that connector members pass through the structural foam of the core wall can pass between the opposing channel members.  
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show an arrangement wherein a lavatory  260 , toilet  262  and shower  264  or bathtub  265  are provided at each side of a core wall  266 . In such an arrangement a vertical chase  268  in the core wall serves to accommodate connectors for both sets of fixtures. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , as well as in all other embodiments of the invention, it is not necessary to have an under-floor chase; it is not necessary to have a number of openings through each floor of stacked accommodation units and sound insulation is maintained between accommodation units.  
      With each toilet and shower or bathtub supported on a floor  60 A, the rear discharge line for each devise is connected through a face of the core wall to a discharge conduit connector member in the chase.  
      A discharge conduit connection member  300  extends from connection with vertical discharge connector member conduit  170  in the chase  110  into the core wall  76  between the outer panels  106  and  108 . The discharge conduit connection member  300  is sloped downwardly through the core wall to connect to the vertical discharge connector member conduit  170 . The slope of the discharge connection member conduit  300  allows other devices such as the sink  304  shown in  FIG. 5  to be hung on the core wall, outside of the chase  110  and to have a drain line connection  202  connected to sloped drain line  300  inside the core wall. Similarly, electrical lines embedded in the core wall can be connected to outlets at the face of the core wall to allow connection to other devices and appliances, such as the stove  306 .  
      Each of the core walls disclosed is preferably constructed off site in the same manner. Not all connection members inside the core wall used will necessarily connect convenience components at one or both faces of the core wall to connector members in the vertical chase portion of the core wall. Nevertheless, such connection members are provided and even if not used for an accommodation unit at the time of building construction are available for use in the event of subsequent modification of the accommodation unit.  
      The chase formed in each core wall allows toilets, bathtubs and showers which are too heavy to hang and to be supported on a face of the core wall, to be floor mounted and supported and to be rear discharged directly into the chase. At the same time, convenience devices, such as bathroom and kitchen sinks, which do not have the weight of a person placed thereon can be secured to a face of the core wall. Those can discharge directly int a connector member in the chase or to the sloped connection drain member in the core wall and then into the connector member in the chase.  
      Without an under-floor chase requirement, a height from floor to floor of each stacked dwelling is less than that found in buildings having under-floor chases. As a result, the height requirement for each accommodation unit is greatly reduced and more construction savings are realized as a result of such height savings.  
      Although a preferred form of my invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, which subject matter I regard as my invention.