Patent Publication Number: US-11391035-B2

Title: Modular building system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a modular building system and a modular panel system including building panels that are configured to allow construction workers to quickly construct a low-cost and durable building structure. The present invention also relates to building elements used in conjunction with the modular building system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge. 
     There are many conventional construction techniques currently in use in the small building and housing industries. These techniques include wood frame construction, masonry frame construction, and light-gauge steel construction. Each of these construction techniques has its own advantages and disadvantages, taking into consideration various factors such as cost, energy efficiency, durability, aesthetics, difficulty of assembly, and reliance upon special tools or components which may be necessary for assembly. 
     Wood frame construction is currently the most commonly used system for residential construction. Although wood frame construction is commonly used, such construction methods are time consuming and labour intensive. Wood as a construction material remains relatively inexpensive. However, there is also a growing concern over the quality and quantity of the world&#39;s dwindling wood supply. 
     In view of the above, it is desirable to provide improvements for modular construction of buildings. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In an aspect, the invention provides a modular building construction system comprising a plurality of panels, each panel having two spaced apart sheets; an insulating core portion positioned between said spaced apart sheets, wherein edge portions of the spaced apart sheets define a hollow cavity, the cavity extending along peripheral portions of the panel wherein the panel comprises a length (l) and a height (h) wherein top and bottom channel members face outwardly and extend along the length (l) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along in-use top and bottom peripheral portions of the panel respectively; and wherein first and second opposite side channels face outwardly and extend along the height (h) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along each of the lateral peripheral portions of the panel respectively and wherein during use the channel members are adapted to be interconnected with one or more building elements positioned along said peripheral portions. 
     In an embodiment, the one or more panels are substantially rectangular. 
     In an embodiment, one or more of said channel members comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the channel members being adapted to receive a building element into a recess defined by the channel wherein during use the building element is fastened to walls defining the channel. 
     In an embodiment, walls of the channel members are fastened to the spaced apart sheets and/or the insulating core. 
     In an embodiment, one or more of the channel members comprises: a base wall that is fastened to the core portion of the panel; and opposed upstanding walls that are spaced apart and fastened to inner surfaces of the sheets. 
     In an embodiment, the channel members are adhesively bonded to the core portion and/or the opposed sheets. 
     In an embodiment, outer edge portions of the opposed sheets extend beyond the core portion to define said hollow cavities extending along peripheral portions of the panel. 
     In an embodiment, the spaced apart sheets and the insulating core are substantially non-metallic and wherein the one or more channel members are substantially metallic. 
     In an embodiment, the one or more building elements comprises an upright connecting assembly adapted to be received into the opposite side channels, the upright connecting assembly comprising: 
     an upright with one or more outer side walls extending between an in use-upper portion and an in use-lower portion along a height of the upright; 
     the upper portion further comprising an upwardly extending connecting arrangement with spaced apart portions to allow a beam to be positioned transversely relative to the upright; and 
     the lower portion further comprising a downwardly extending male connecting member structured to be received into a channel of an in-use bottom plate positioned below said assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the upright is adapted to be received in adjacently positioned side channels of panels in adjacent side by side relationship wherein during use the upright is adapted to be fastened to the adjacent side channels of the panels in said adjacent side by side relationship. 
     In an embodiment, walls of the channel of the in-use bottom plate are adapted to be received into the bottom channel members of the one or more panels and wherein during use the bottom channel members are fastened to the walls of the channel of the bottom plate. 
     In an embodiment, the top channel members of the panels are adapted to receive the beam thereby allowing the beam to be positioned transversely relative to the upright and wherein during use, the top channel members of the panels are fastened to the beam. 
     In an embodiment, the upright comprises a substantially hollow configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the upright comprises a substantially rectangular configuration with first and second pairs of opposed side walls extending along the height of the upright. 
     In an embodiment, at least two opposed side walls extend upwardly from the upper portion of the upright to define a space there-between and form the connecting arrangement to receive and support the beam in the transverse position relative to the upright. 
     In an embodiment, the upright connecting assembly further comprises one or more downwardly extending male connecting members, said male connecting members being inwardly recessed relative to the side walls of the upright. 
     In an embodiment, the male connecting member comprises connecting side walls depending downwardly from the upright, the connecting side walls being stepped or recessed inwardly relative to the outer side walls of the upright. 
     In an embodiment, the male connecting member comprises at least two of said connecting side walls, wherein said two connecting side walls are spaced apart. 
     In an embodiment, the spaced connecting sidewalls are joined by an additional connecting side wall extending there-between. 
     In an embodiment, each connecting side wall of the male connecting member lies in a plane that is parallel to a plane of a corresponding outer side wall of the upright. 
     In an embodiment, the upright comprises a first elongate upright member comprising a substantially U-shaped profile that is received lengthwise in a second elongate upright member. 
     In an embodiment, the second elongate upright member also comprises a substantially U shaped profile. 
     In an embodiment, each of the first and second upright member comprises two opposed side walls and a base wall such that the opposed side walls extend from the base wall and wherein each of said opposed side walls and base wall of the respective upright member extend along the height of the upright. 
     In an embodiment, each of the opposed side walls of the upright are substantially perpendicular to the base wall of the upright. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a building panel comprising: two spaced apart sheets; an insulating core portion positioned between said spaced apart sheets, wherein edge portions of the spaced apart sheets define a hollow cavity extending along peripheral portions of the panel wherein the panel comprises a length (l) and a height (h) wherein top and bottom channel members face outwardly and extend along the length (l) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along in-use top and bottom peripheral portions of the panel respectively; and wherein first and second opposite side channels face outwardly and extend along the height (h) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along each of the lateral peripheral portions of the panel respectively and wherein during use the channel members are adapted to be interconnected with one or more building elements positioned along said peripheral portions. 
     In an embodiment, the one or more channel members comprise a substantially U-shaped cross-section and are adapted to receive a building element into a recess defined by the channel member wherein during use the building element is fastened to walls defining the channel member. 
     In an embodiment, the length (l) of the spaced apart sheets is greater than length of the core portion of the panel thereby allowing the edge portions of the spaced apart sheets to define a hollow cavity extending along in-use top and bottom peripheral portions of the panel. 
     In an embodiment, height (h) of the spaced apart sheets is greater than height of the core portion thereby allowing the edge portions of the spaced apart sheets to define a hollow cavity extending along in-use opposed side peripheral portions of the panel. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides an upright connecting assembly for use in modular construction of buildings, the assembly comprising: 
     an upright with one or more outer side walls extending between an in use-upper portion and an in use-lower portion along a height of the upright; 
     the upper portion further comprising an upwardly extending connecting arrangement with spaced apart portions to allow a beam to be positioned transversely relative to the upright; and 
     the lower portion further comprising a downwardly extending male connecting member structured to be received into a channel of a plate positioned below said assembly. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of modular building construction by using a plurality of panels, each panel having two spaced apart sheets; an insulating core portion positioned between said spaced apart sheets, wherein edge portions of the spaced apart sheets define a hollow cavity, the cavity extending along peripheral portions of the panel wherein the panel comprises a length (l) and a height (h) wherein top and bottom channel members face outwardly and extend along the length (l) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along in-use top and bottom peripheral portions of the panel respectively; and wherein first and second opposite side channels face outwardly and extend along the height (h) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along each of the lateral peripheral portions of the panel respectively, the method comprising the steps of: 
     positioning a bottom plate on an underlying building surface upon which the modular building is to be constructed, the bottom plate comprising upstanding walls defining a channel; 
     securing said bottom plate to the underlying building surface; 
     positioning the upstanding walls of the bottom plate in engagement with the bottom channel and fastening the bottom channel to the bottom using one or more fasteners. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: 
     providing an upright connecting assembly in between adjacently positioned side channels of panels in adjacent side by side relationship; and 
     fastening said upright connecting assembly to the side channels of the panels in said adjacent side by side relationship. 
     In an embodiment of the method, the upright connecting assembly comprises an upright with one or more outer side walls extending between an in use-upper portion and an in use-lower portion along a height of the upright; the upper portion further comprising an upwardly extending connecting arrangement with spaced apart portions to allow a beam to be positioned transversely relative to the upright; and the lower portion further comprising a downwardly extending male connecting member structured to be received into the channel of the bottom plate. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of: 
     positioning a beam in between the spaced apart portions in a transverse configuration relative to the upright such that one or more sections of the beam are also received into one or more top channel members of the panels in adjacent side by side relationship; and 
     fastening the beam to the one or more top channel members. 
     In another aspect, the invention comprises an upright connecting assembly for connecting two construction panels in an angled configuration, the assembly comprising: 
     an upright with a plurality side walls extending along a height of the upright, the upright extending between an in use-upper portion and an in use-lower portion; 
     the upper portion further comprising:
         a first upper connecting arrangement with a first pair of spaced apart portions to allow a beam to be positioned in a first transverse position relative to the upright; and   a second upper connecting arrangement with a second pair of spaced apart portions to allow a beam to be positioned in a first transverse position relative to the upright       

     the lower portion further comprising:
         a first downwardly extending male connecting member structured to be received into a first channel positioned below said assembly; and   a second downwardly extending male connecting member structured to be received into a second channel positioned below said assembly.       

     In yet another aspect, the invention comprises an upright connecting assembly for installing a window or a door during modular construction of a building, the assembly comprising:
         an upright with one or more outer side walls extending between an in use-upper portion and an in use-lower portion along a height of the upright;       

     the upper portion further comprising an upwardly extending connecting arrangement to connect with a channel of a window or door supporting member, said member being arranged transversely relative to the upright; 
     the lower portion further comprising a downwardly extending male connecting member structured to be received into a channel of a plate positioned below said assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a panel  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a panel  100  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3 —is a top perspective view (enlarged) of the panel  100 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the panel  100 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a building system  1000 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the building system  100  shown in an in-use configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is an isolated view of a bottom plate  20  which forms a part of the building system  1000 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of an upright connector  500  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is an enlarged perspective view of an in-use upper portion  500 A of the upright connector  500 . 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged perspective view of an in-use lower portion  500 B of the upright connector  500 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the upright connector  500  relative to the side channels  210   215  of two adjacent panels (now shown). 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective in-use view of the upright connector  500  and the panel  100  in the building system  1000 . 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are enlarged perspective views of the upper portion  500 A of the upright connector  500  shown in two separate configurations. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the lower portion  500 B of the upright connector  500 . 
         FIGS. 13A to 13D  depict a method for installing the upright connector  500  to connect panels  100 A and  100 B. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of an upright connector  600  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14A  is an enlarged perspective view of an in-use upper portion  600 A of the upright connector  600 . 
         FIG. 14B  is an enlarged perspective view of an in-use lower portion  600 B of the upright connector  600 . 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are enlarged perspective views of the upper portion  600 A of the upright connector  600  shown in two separate configurations. 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged perspective view of the lower portion  600 B of the upright connector  600 . 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a window opening utilising upright connectors  500 ′ and  700 . 
         FIG. 18  is a frontal view of the window opening utilising upright connectors  500 ′ and  700 . 
         FIGS. 19A to 19D  illustrate a method for installing a window opening by utilising upright connectors  500 ′ and  700 . 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view of a door opening utilising upright connectors  500 ″. 
         FIG. 21  is a frontal view of the door opening utilising upright connectors  500 ″. 
         FIGS. 22A to 22D  illustrate a method for installing a window opening by utilising upright connectors  500 ″. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 to 4  illustrates isolated views of a panel  100  for use in a modular building construction system  100 . The panel  100  is a rectangular building panel having two spaced apart sheets  105  and  110  with an insulating core portion  115  sandwiched between said spaced apart sheets  105  and  110 . The edge portions of the spaced apart sheets  105  and  110  define a hollow cavities extending along peripheral portions of the rectangular panel  100  (best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     Each rectangular panel  100  comprises a length (l) and a height (h) as shown in  FIG. 2 . Top and bottom channel members  200  and  205  face outwardly and extend along the length (l) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along in-use top and bottom peripheral portions of the panel  100 . Similarly, first and second opposite side channels  210  and  215  face outwardly and extend along the height (h) of the panel  100  and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along each of the lateral peripheral portions of the panel  100  respectively. As will be evident from the description in the foregoing sections, each of the channel members  200 ,  205 ,  210  and  215  are adapted to be interconnected with one or more building elements positioned along the peripheral portions of the panel  100  during construction of the modular building construction system  1000 . 
     A typical panel  100  comprises a core of fire resistant expanded polystyrene that is sandwiched between the two sheets  105  and  110 . The sheets may be made from any known construction material that is preferably lightweight, fire-resistant and provides insulation. The panel  100  may be provided in a range of sizes. By way of example, the width of the panel may be about 300 mm-1100 mm and the height of panel may be 2400 mm, 2700 mm or 3000 mm. The panel  100  is an internal wall panel which is symmetrical about a vertical axis such that any panel can be turned upside down or back to front. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the panel  100  (in at least some embodiments) includes an external wall sheet  110  that extends further when compared to the internal wall sheet  105  in order to conceal a concrete slab or floor system. As previously discussed, channel members or elements  200 ,  205 ,  210  and  215  extend along perpendicular edges of the panel  100 . Each channel element  200  has a substantially U-shaped cross section with a base wall which is fastened to the core portion  115  of the panel  100  and spaced apart upstanding walls which are fastened to inner surfaces of the sheets  105  and  110 . In the preferred embodiment, the channel members/elements are glued to the core (not shown) and the sheets  105 ,  110  of the panel  100  providing increased structural integrity of the panel  100 . However, other methods may also be used for fixing the channel members/elements to the core  115  and the sheets  105  and  110  without departing from the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the channel elements  200 ,  205 ,  210  and  215  are metallic and are bonded to the sheets  105  and  110  along the upstanding wall portion of each U-shaped channel member/element. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , erecting the building system  1000  involves installation of the panel  100  which requires positioning a bottom plate  20  on an underlying slab. The bottom plate  20  (shown in  FIG. 7 —isolated view) includes upstanding wall portions  201  and  202  which define a U-shaped channel in the bottom plate  20 . During installation of the panel  100 , the bottom channel element  205  connects and receives the upstanding wall portions  201  and  202  of the bottom plate  20 . Specifically, upstanding wall portions  201  and  202  are aligned contiguously along the downwardly dependent wall portions of the bottom channel element  205 . Fasteners in the form of screws  50  may be used to fasten the bottom channel element  205  to the bottom plate  20  by inserting the screws  50  into the external sheet  110  of the panel  100 . The inventors have found that the provision of the Such an arrangement 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 to 12 , an upright connecting assembly in the form of an upright adaptor  500  is illustrated. The upright adaptor  500  is provided in the aforementioned modular building system  100  for two non-limiting purposes. First, the upright adaptor  500  functions as a connector to inter-connect two panels  100  in a side-by-side configuration (best shown in  FIGS. 13A to 13D ). Second, the upright adaptor  500  also functions as a structural member by supporting a transverse beam that is provided in the form of a top plate (TP- 1  or TP- 2  as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ). TP- 1  is a load bearing member and comprises a relatively greater height and width when compared with TP- 2 . It is envisioned that TP- 1  may be useful for supporting an additional floor whereas TP- 2  may be better suited for single-story construction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 8A, 8B, 9 and 10 , the upright adaptor/connector  500  comprises an upright  505  with outer side walls extending along a height of the upright between an in use-upper portion  500 A and an in use-lower portion  500 B. Referring to  FIG. 8A , the upper portion  500 A comprises an upwardly extending connecting arrangement with opposed spaced apart side wall portions  512  and  514  to allow a beam (such as TP- 1  or TP- 2  as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ) to be positioned transversely relative to the upright adaptor  500 . The lower portion  500 B comprises a downwardly extending male connecting member  522  that is structured to be received into a channel of the bottom plate  20  positioned below the upright adaptor  500 . The male connecting member  522  is inwardly recessed relative to the outer side walls of the upright  505 . The male connecting member  522  comprises connecting side walls  520 A,  520 B and  520 C depending downwardly from the upright  505 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 8B , the connecting side walls  520 A,  520 B and  520 C are stepped or recessed inwardly relative to the outer side walls  510 A,  510 B and  510 C of the upright  505 . 
     Advantageously, the upright adaptor  500  is constructed from two elongate C-shaped sections  510  and  520 . A first elongate upright member  520  comprising a substantially C-shaped or U-shaped profile is received lengthwise into a second elongate upright member  510  which also comprises a substantially C-shaped or U-shaped profile. The first C-shaped upright member  520  comprises side walls  520 B and  520 C that extend in an upwardly direction from a base wall  520 A. A portion of the side walls  520 A,  520 B and  520 C extends beyond the edges of the second upright member  520  and forms the outwardly extending male connecting portion  522  (as shown in  FIG. 8B ). The second upright member  510  also comprises opposed side walls  510 A and  510 C and extend from the base wall  510 A. Once again, each of the opposed side walls  510 A and  510 B and base wall  510 A of the second upright member  510  extend along the height of the upright  505 . Each of the spaced apart portions  512  and  514  are a part of the opposed side walls  510 B and  510 C respectively and extend beyond an upper end portion of the base wall  510 A of the second upright  510  to accommodate the top plate TP- 1  or TP- 2  (See  FIGS. 11A and 11B ). In other embodiments, the upright connector  500  may be constructed from tubes or any other material without necessarily using two C-shaped sections. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13A to 13D , a step-wise method has been illustrated to show the manner in which the upright connector/adaptor  500  is used for installing and inter-connecting panels  100  during construction of the modular building  1000 . The first step ( FIG. 13A ) involves positioning a first panel  100 A (a fixed panel) on the bottom plate  20  followed by positioning a lower portion  500 B of the upright connector  500  into a channel portion of the bottom plate  20  (as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The second step (shown in  FIG. 13B ) involves positioning the upright portion  505  along the side channels ( 210  or  215 ) of the fixed panel  100 A such that a substantial part of the upright  505  is positioned within the C-shaped opening of the side channel of the fixed panel  100 A. The third step and fourth steps ( FIGS. 13C and 13D ) involves positioning a second panel  100 B in close relationship with the initially fixed panel  100 A with the upright connector  500  positioned in an upright configuration in between said panels  100 A and  100 B. The top plate TP- 1  is subsequently positioned into the top channel of the panels  100 A,  100 B such that it is positioned transversely relative to the upright connector  500 . As previously discussed (and shown in  FIG. 11A ), the top plate TP- 1  is received in between the spaced apart upper portions  512  and  514  of the upright connector  500 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 to 16 , a second embodiment of a corner upright connector  600  is illustrated. The corner upright connector  600  is particularly helpful for inter-connecting two of the previously described panels  100  in an angled configuration. During construction of a building, it is often necessary to erect two wall panels in angled configuration to define a corner of a building. In the presently described embodiment, the upright connector  600  has been shown for inter-connecting two adjacent panels  100  in a substantially perpendicular configuration. Referring to  FIGS. 14, 14A and 14B , the upright connector  600  includes an upright  606  having a plurality of side walls that extend along a height of the upright  606  in between an in-use upper portion  600 A and an in-use lower portion  600 B. 
     The upper portion  600 A (detailed view shown in  FIG. 14A ) includes outwardly extending upper wall portions  622  and  612  are located along adjacent side walls  610  that have a slightly greater height relative to the remaining upper edge portions of side walls  610 A,  610 B,  610 C and  610 D. The provision of the upwardly extending upper wall portions  622  and  612  allows two top plates (TP 1 -A and TP 1 -B or TP 2 -A and TP- 2 B-See  FIGS. 8A and 8B ) to be positioned transversely (relative to the upright  606 ) in an angled configuration along the same direction as the wall panels. As previously discussed, TP- 1 A and TP- 1 B are load bearing members and each member comprises a relatively greater height and width when compared with TP- 2 A and TP- 2 B. It is envisioned that TP- 1 A and TP- 1 B may be useful for supporting angled walls with an additional floor there-above. TP- 2 A and TP- 2 B may be better suited for single story construction. 
     The upright connector  600  also includes a lower portion  600 B (detailed view shown in  FIG. 14B ) with two downwardly extending male connecting members  622 A and  622 B (denoted generally by feature  622 ) that are structured to be received into channels of respective bottom plates  20 A and  20 B as shown in  FIG. 16 . The upright connector  600  assists with the construction of buildings having wall panels in an angled configuration. The aforementioned configuration of the upright connector  600  allows panels (such as panel  100 ), bottom plates  20 A,  20 B and the top plates (either TP 1 -A and TP 1 -B or TP 2 -A and TP- 2 B) to be positioned in any angled (non-collinear) configuration. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 to 19  ( 19 A and  19 B), another embodiment of an upright connector  700  is illustrated. The upright connector  700  is particularly suitable for installing a window during modular construction of a building. Each upright connector  700  comprises sidewalls extending between an in-use upper portion  700 A and an in-use lower portion  700 B (as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). Each of the upper and lower portions  700 A and  700 B include male connecting members that are structured to be received in a window sill channel (WSC) and the bottom plate  20  respectively. A typical installation of a window in an opening also requires the use of additional upright connectors  500 ′ that have a substantially similar configuration as upright connector  500  (that has been previously described). The only difference relates to the overall height of these upright connectors  500 ′ which is much lesser than height of the previously described upright connectors  500 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19A to 19D , a method for installation of a window in the presently described building system  1000  involves positioning a window sill panel WS. The window sill panel WS may have a similar configuration as panels  100  with respective channels along top, bottom and sides of the panel  100 .  FIG. 19A  depicts an exploded view of the window installation. The window opening is defined by window channels (top, bottom, left and right). Referring to  FIG. 19B , the upright connectors  700  are positioned adjacent a fixed panel  100 A. Specifically, the lower portion  700 B is fastened to the bottom plate  20 . The next step involves fixing the upright connectors  500 ′ onto either lateral side of the window header WH before positioning the window header above the top window channel. The bottom window channel (also referred to as the window sill channel-WSC) is positioned above the window sill panel WS and the upper portions of each of the upright connectors  700  is fastened to window side channel by using screws (not shown). The subsequent step shown in  FIG. 19C  involves ensuring that the window&#39;s side channels (left channel in particular) is in position adjacent to the fixed panel  100 A before inserting the top window side channel WSC. The other panel  100 B is then positioned in place (shown in  FIG. 19C ) before positioning the window head unit WH above the top window side channel. The top plate TP- 1  is positioned above and across the window header WH, the upright connectors  500 ′ and the panels  100 A and  100 B. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 to 22  ( 22 A to  22 D), another embodiment of an upright connector  500 ″ is illustrated. The upright connector  500 ″ is structurally similar to previously described connector  500  and is particularly suitable for installing a sliding door during modular construction of the modular building system  1000 . Each upright connector  500 ″ comprises sidewalls extending between an in-use upper portion  500 ″A and an in-use lower portion  500 ″B. Each of the upper portions  500 ″ include spaced apart portions (similar to spaced portions  512  and  514 ) that are adapted for receiving a top plate such as TP- 1  as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . Lower portions of the upright connector  500 ″ include male connecting members that are structured to be received into a channel of the top door supporting channel (DSC) member. The opening for the sliding door is defined by the top door supporting channel DSC and two side door supporting channels as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . Referring to  FIGS. 22A to 22D , the method for installation of a door in the presently described building system  1000  involves positioning the door supporting channels (top and side DSCs) to define the opening of the sliding door. This initial step ( FIG. 22A ) is followed by fixing upright connectors  500 ″ to either lateral side of the sliding door header (SDH) as shown in  FIG. 22B . The third step involves pushing each of the side DSCs into the side channels of the spaced apart fixed panels  100  as shown in  FIG. 22C  and fixing the top DSC by pushing the top DSC to be in engagement with the respective top portions of the side DSCs. The final step (shown in  FIG. 22D ) involves inserting the SDH panel above the top DSC before positioning the top plate TP- 1  across and above the panels  100 , the SDH and the top portions of the upright connectors  500 ″. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. 
     The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.