Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 60/489,490 filed Jul. 24, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a modular construction system, and in particular to a modular construction system including interlocking panels with interconnecting service conduits extending therethrough for use in full-size or miniature (toy) construction systems.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Conventional construction techniques require wood framing to be fastened together on top of a cinderblock or cement foundation. Holes must then be cut in the framing and foundation to run the required services, such as heating, plumbing and electricity. Subsequently, an exterior facade of bricks or siding is placed over the framing, while a finished surface of drywall or plaster is mounted on the interior surface of the framing. All of these steps are quite labor intensive, requiring various different specialized teams of laborers. This type of construction also results in a great deal of waste, which must be cleaned up from the construction cite, and disposed of at a remote dumping cite.  
         [0004]     Conventional modular construction techniques do not simplify or limit the labor requirements, they simply move some preliminary work inside the builder&#39;s warehouse. The same holes must be cut in the framing, and the same waste is produced by the assembly. Moreover, large prefabricated portions of the structure must be transported to the construction cite using special equipment with increased cost. Furthermore, the prefabricated portions are specific to one type of house, and not useable for different structural designs.  
         [0005]     Conventional building block toys, such as Lego®, provide a plurality of interlocking blocks for constructing anything from rectangular structures to detailed space ships Recent developments in building blocks include all different shapes and sizes. However, none have been developed including interconnecting service conduits for running parallel electrical wiring and water systems between perpendicular walls. Moreover, none have been developed with specially designed base panels, wall panels and ceiling panels.  
         [0006]     An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a modular construction system including prefabricated interlocking panels with interconnecting service conduits for use in a variety of different housing designs both full size and miniature.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, the present invention relates to a modular construction system for a full-size or miniature structure comprising a plurality of interlocking panels, each panel including: 
        a plurality of parallel service conduits extending longitudinally therethrough;     a plurality of access conduits extending laterally therein for accessing the service conduits; and     connectors for interlocking adjacent panels and for aligning the service conduits of adjacent panels.       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent preferred embodiments thereof, wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a partially constructed building according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of a partially constructed building;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a wall panel;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the wall panel of  FIG. 3  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an alternative wall panel;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an alternative wall panel;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a base panel;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an alternative base panel;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a third base panel;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the base panel of  FIG. 8  from below  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the base panel of  FIG. 9  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12   a  is an isometric view of a 90° corner base panel;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12   b  is an isometric view of the 90° corner base panel of  FIG. 12   a  from below;  
         [0025]      FIG. 13   a  is an isometric view of a 45° corner base panel;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13   b  is an isometric view of the 45° corner base panel of  FIG. 13   a  from below;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14   a  is an isometric view of an angled base panel;  
         [0028]      FIG. 14   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 14   a  from below;  
         [0029]      FIG. 14   c  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 14   a  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0030]      FIG. 15   a  is an isometric view of an angled base panel with a rounded end;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 15   a  from below;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15   c  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 15   a  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0033]      FIG. 16   a  is an isometric view of an alternative angled base panel;  
         [0034]      FIG. 16   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 16   a  from below;  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a bearing structure between the base panels and the footing;  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view of a ceiling panel;  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of an alternative ceiling panel;  
         [0038]      FIG. 20   a  is an isometric view of a third ceiling panel;  
         [0039]      FIG. 20   b  is an isometric view of the ceiling panel of  FIG. 20   a  from below;  
         [0040]      FIG. 21  is an isometric view of the ceiling panel of  FIG. 19  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0041]      FIG. 22   a  is an isometric view of a 90° corner ceiling panel;  
         [0042]      FIG. 22   b  is an isometric view of the 90° corner ceiling panel of  FIG. 22   a  from below;  
         [0043]      FIG. 23   a  is an isometric view of a 45° corner ceiling panel;  
         [0044]      FIG. 23   b  is an isometric view of the 45° corner ceiling panel of  FIG. 23   a  from below;  
         [0045]      FIG. 24   a  is an isometric view of an angled base panel with a rounded end;  
         [0046]      FIG. 24   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 24   a  from below;  
         [0047]      FIG. 25   a  is an isometric view of an angled base panel;  
         [0048]      FIG. 25   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 25   a  from below;  
         [0049]      FIG. 26   a  is an isometric view of an alternative angled base panel;  
         [0050]      FIG. 26   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 26   a  from below;  
         [0051]      FIG. 27   a  is an isometric view of a roof panel;  
         [0052]      FIG. 27   b  is an isometric view of the roof panel of  FIG. 27   a  from below;  
         [0053]      FIG. 28  is an isometric view of an alternative roof panel;  
         [0054]      FIG. 29  is an isometric view of another alternative roof panel;  
         [0055]      FIG. 30  is an isometric view of the roof panel of  FIGS. 27   a  and  27   b  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0056]      FIG. 31   a  is an isometric view of a 90° corner ceiling panel;  
         [0057]      FIG. 31   b  is an isometric view of the 90° corner ceiling panel of  FIG. 31   a  from below;  
         [0058]      FIG. 32   a  is an isometric view of a 45° corner ceiling panel;  
         [0059]      FIG. 32   b  is an isometric view of the 45° corner ceiling panel of  FIG. 32   a  from below;  
         [0060]      FIG. 33   a  is an isometric view of a 45° angled base panel;  
         [0061]      FIG. 33   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 33   a  from below;  
         [0062]      FIG. 33   c  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 33   a  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0063]      FIG. 34   a  is an isometric view of a 60° angled base panel;  
         [0064]      FIG. 34   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 34   a  from below;  
         [0065]      FIG. 35   a  is an isometric view of an alternative angled base panel with a rounded end;  
         [0066]      FIG. 35   b  is an isometric view of the angled base panel of  FIG. 35   a  from below;  
         [0067]      FIG. 36  is an isometric view of a ceiling/base slab panel with the outer surface removed;  
         [0068]      FIG. 37  is an isometric view of a circular ceiling/base slab panel with the outer surface removed;  
         [0069]      FIG. 38  is an isometric view of a roof slab panel with the outer surface removed;  
         [0070]      FIG. 39  is an isometric view of a domed roof slab panel;  
         [0071]      FIG. 40  is an isometric view of the domed roof slab panel of  FIG. 39  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0072]      FIG. 41  is an isometric view of a wall panel with exterior and interior finishing panels;  
         [0073]      FIG. 42  is an isometric view of a ceiling panel with finishing panels;  
         [0074]      FIG. 43  is an isometric view of a roof panel with exterior and interior finishing panels;  
         [0075]      FIG. 44  is an isometric view of a swimming pool according to the present invention;  
         [0076]      FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional view of the swimming pool of  FIG. 42 ;  
         [0077]      FIG. 46  is an isometric view of a base panel for the swimming pool of  FIG. 42 ;  
         [0078]      FIG. 47  is an isometric view of a wall panel for the swimming pool of  FIG. 42 ;  
         [0079]      FIG. 48  is an isometric view of the wall panel of  FIG. 45  with the outer surface removed;  
         [0080]      FIG. 49  is an isometric view of the service conduit system for the swimming pool of  FIG. 42 ;  
         [0081]      FIG. 50  is a partial assembly drawing of a rectangular swimming pool;  
         [0082]      FIG. 51  is an isometric view of a partial building according to another embodiment of the present invention constructed of logs;  
         [0083]      FIG. 52  is an isometric view of a log base panel of the building of  FIG. 51 ;  
         [0084]      FIG. 53  is an isometric view of a log wall panel of the building of  FIG. 51 ;  
         [0085]      FIG. 54  is an isometric view of a log ceiling panel of the building of  FIG. 51 ;  
         [0086]      FIG. 55  is an isometric view of a log roof panel of the building of  FIG. 51   
         [0087]      FIG. 56  is an isometric view of a log base or ceiling slab panel of the building of  FIG. 51 ; and  
         [0088]      FIG. 57  is an isometric view of a log roof slab panel of the building of  FIG. 51 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0089]     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a modular building according to the present invention, generally indicated at  1 , includes four main types of interlocking building panels, i.e. base panels  2 , wall panels  3 , ceiling panels  4  and roof panels  5 . The interlocking base panels  2  define the perimeter of the building  1  and provide support for any vertical wall panels  3  making up the first level of the building  1 . Additional inner base slab panels  7  are connected to the base panels  2  to form the middle portion of the ground floor. Outside of the building  1 , specialty exterior panels, e.g. flower box panels  8 , stair panels  9  or deck panels  11  can be connected to the base panels  2  depending on the needs of the owner. The deck panels  11  and the flower box panels  8  include hand rails  12 . The base panels  2  can be mounted directly onto bedrock, onto a concrete slab, or onto footing panels  13  provided.  
         [0090]     The interlocking ceiling panels  4  are mounted on the upper ends of the ground wall panels  3  providing cantilevered arms extending outwardly therefrom. Ceiling slab panels  14  are attached to the cantilever arm extending into the building, while specialized exterior panels, e.g. shade panels  16  and hand rail panels  17 , are mounted on the cantilever arm extending outwardly from the side of the building  1 .  
         [0091]     The interlocking roof panels  5  are mounted on the upper ends of the second floor wall panels  3  providing cantilevered arms extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom. Roof slab panels  18  are attached to the cantilever arm extending over the building  1 , while specialized exterior panels, e.g. shade panels  19 , can be mounted on the cantilever arm extending away from the building  1 . While only a two story building is illustrated, any number of floors can be constructed with the building system according to the present invention.  
         [0092]     Typical wall panels  3 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , include an upper end  22 , a lower end  23 , a front face  24 , and a back face  25 . The wall panels can be made out of a variety of suitable materials, such as concrete, wood, plastic, polymer, fiberglass, or a combination thereof. A plurality of service conduits  27   a  to  27   f  extend from the upper end  22  to the lower end  23 . The service conduits  27   a  to  27   f  enable all of the services, e.g. plumbing, electrical, central vacuum, and HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) to be easily run wherever necessary throughout the building without necessitating cutting or drilling. Each service conduit  27   a  to  27   b  includes at least one, but preferably two, access conduits  28   a  to  28   f , which extend from the service conduit to the front and/or the rear faces  24  and  25 , respectively, of the wall panels  3 . The access conduits  28   a  to  28   f  enable the builder or the building owner to access the various service conduits whenever desired, in particular, for positioning fixtures, such as lights, electrical outlets, water taps, vacuum cleaner sockets, cold air returns, and air vents. Extending upwardly from the upper end  22  are upper connector blocks  29   a  and  29   b  acting as male connectors for connecting the wall panel  3  to a pair of ceiling panels, as will be described hereinafter. Extending downwardly from the lower end  23  are lower connector blocks  31   a  and  31   b  acting as male connectors for connecting the wall panel  3  to a pair of base panels  2 , as will be described hereinafter. Each connector block  29   a  and  31   a  includes the ends of service conduits  27   a  and  27   b , while each of connector blocks  29   b  and  31   b  includes the ends of service conduits  27   e  and  27   f , although more or less service conduits in each connector block is possible. Positioning the ends of the service conduits  27   a ,  27   b ,  27   e , and  27   f  in the connector blocks  29   a ,  29   b ,  31   a , and  31   b  facilitates the alignment thereof with access conduits, i.e. service conduits, in adjoining base, ceiling or roof panels. Specialty wall panels  3 ′ and  3 ″,  FIGS. 5 and 6 , are designed to provide windows  32  and doors  33 , respectively.  
         [0093]     Base panels  2  come in various sizes, as illustrated in FIGS.  7  to  11 , depending upon the specific needs of the building. Each base panel  2  includes an inner end  41 , an outer end  42 , a top surface  43 , and a bottom surface  44 . A shoulder  45  is provided at the inner and outer ends  41  and  42 , respectively, providing a mounting surface for supporting the inner base slabs  7 . As in the wall panels  3 , each base panel  2  includes a plurality of service conduits  47   a  to  47   b  extending from the outer end  42  to the inner end  41 . The base panels  2  also include an additional service conduit  49   a  below the service conduits  47   a  to  47   f  with a lateral service conduit  49   b  extending perpendicular thereto. The additional and lateral service conduits  49   a  and  49   b  can have larger diameters than the regular service conduits  47   a  to  47   f  for transporting higher volumes of air or larger drainage pipes. At least one of the regular service conduits, e.g.  47   a , can be connected to the additional and lateral service conduits  49   a  and  49   b , if necessary. The upper surface  43  includes a connector recess  51  acting as a female connector for receiving a connector block  31   b  from a first wall panel  3  and a connector block  31   a  from a second wall panel  3 , in the preferred overlapping construction arrangement. Connector access conduits  52   a  to  52   f  extend from the service conduits  47   a  to  47   f , respectively, to the connector recess  51  for aligning with the service conduits  27   a  to  27   f  of one or a combination of the wall panels  3 . In the overlapping arrangement, service conduits  27   d ,  27   e  and  27   f  from the fast wall panel  3  become aligned with connector conduits  52   a ,  52   b  and  52   c , respectively, of the base panel  2 , while service conduits  27   a ,  27   b  and  27   c  of the second wall panel  3  become aligned with connector conduits  52   d ,  52   e  and  52   f , respectively, of the base panel  2 . The connector recess  51  can be positioned in the middle of the upper surface  43  or proximate one end thereof (see  FIG. 9 ) depending on the needs of the builder.  
         [0094]     The inner end  41  of the base panels  2  includes mating surfaces in the form of connector blocks  53   a  and  53   b  for interlocking and aligning with corresponding mating surfaces on the base slab panels  7 . The outer end  42  includes another mating surface in the form of connector blocks  54   a  and  54   b  for interlocking and aligning with corresponding mating surfaces on the specialty panels, e.g. flower box  8 . The connector blocks  53   a  and  54   a  include one or more service conduits, e.g.  47   a , extending therethrough, while the connector blocks  53   b  and  54   b  include one or more service conduits, e.g.  47   f , extending therethrough to facilitate the alignment of the service conduits  47   a  to  47   f  with those of adjoining base panels.  
         [0095]     90° corner base panels  56  or a matching pair of 45° corner base panels  57  are positioned at the intersection of two perpendicular walls for joining the base panels  2  and the wall panels  3 . Angled base panels  58 ,  59  and  60  ( FIGS. 14   a ,  14   b ,  15   a ,  15   b ,  16   a , and  16   b ) enable buildings to be constructed with rounded or non-perpendicular corners. Angled base panel  58  is defined by a 45° angle between sides. Angled base panel  59  includes an arcuate end for constructing a rounded corner or a completely circular building. Angled base panel  60  is defined by a 60° angle between sides.  
         [0096]     With reference to  FIGS. 10, 12   b ,  13   b , and  14 , the lower surface  44  of the base panels  2  includes beveled corners, leaving only a t-shaped bearing surface  62 . A domed-shaped bearing  63  is mounted on each arm of the t-shaped bearing surface  62  for mating with inverted dome shaped bearing plates  64  positioned on the footing panels  13 . Accordingly, in the event of an earthquake, the base panels  2  (i.e. the bearings  63 ) will be able to move relative to the footing panels (i.e. the bearing plates  64 ), but will be able to return to their normal position, due to the inverted domed shape of the bearing plates  64 .  
         [0097]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 18, 19 ,  20   a  and  20   b , ceiling panels  4  can take on various sizes and shapes; however, each includes an inner end  71 , an outer end  72 , an upper face  73 , and a lower face  74 . A shoulder  75  is provided at the inner and outer ends  71  and  72 , respectively, providing a mounting surface for supporting the ceiling slabs  14 . Service conduits  77   a  to  77   f  extend from the inner end  71  to the outer end  72 , with connector access conduits  78   a  to  78   b  extending upwardly from the service conduits  77   a  to  77   b , respectively, to the upper face  73  and downwardly to the lower face  74 . A first connector recess  81  is provided in the upper surface  73  for receiving the lower connector blocks  31   a  and  31   b  of the wall panels  3  making up the second story, and a second connector recess  82  is provided in the lower surface  74  for receiving the upper connector blocks  32   a  and  32   b  of the wall panels  3  making up first story.  
         [0098]     One or more lateral service conduits  83  can be provided beneath the regular service conduits  77   a  to  77   f  and perpendicular thereto. The lateral service conduits  83  have a larger diameter than the regular service conduits  77   a  to  77   f  for accommodating larger plumbing pipes or larger volumes of air, e.g. for cold air returns. One or more of the regular service conduits, e.g.  77   b , are connected to the lateral service conduit  83 . Connector blocks  84   a  and  84   b  extend from the inner end  71  for connecting and aligning the service conduits  77   a  to  77   f  with ceiling slab panels  14  and the service conduits therein. Connector blocks  86   a  and  86   b  extend from the outer end  72  providing mating surfaces for connecting and aligning the service conduits  77   a  to  77   f  with the ceiling shade panels  16  and the service conduits therein.  
         [0099]     Similar to base panels  2 , a 90° corner ceiling panel  91  ( FIGS. 22   a  and  22   b ) or two 45° corner ceiling panels  92  ( FIGS. 23   a  and  23   b ) are provided for the intersection of perpendicular walls. Angled ceiling panels  96 ,  97  and  98  ( FIGS. 24   a ,  24   b ,  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a  and  26   b ) are provided for rounded or non-perpendicular walls.  
         [0100]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 27   a ,  27   b ,  28 , and  29 , roof panels  5  can take on various sizes and shapes; however, each includes an inner end  101 , an outer end  102 , an exterior face  103 , and an interior face  104 . The inner end  101  and the outer end  102  extends upwardly from a middle section  105  forming a contoured roof structure. Service conduits  107   a  to  107   f  extend from the inner end  101  to the outer end  102 , with connector access conduits  108   a  to  108   f  extending downwardly to the interior face  104 . A single connector recess  111  is provided in the lower surface  104  for receiving the upper connector blocks  32   a  and  32   b  of a pair of wall panels  3  making up a second (top) story. Several access conduits  109   a  to  109   f  extend upwardly from the service conduits  107   a  to  107   f  to the upper surface  105  and downwardly to the lower surface  104 .  
         [0101]     One or more lateral service conduits  113  can be provided beneath the regular service conduits  107   a  to  107   f  and perpendicular thereto. The lateral service conduits  113  have a larger diameter than the regular service conduits  107   a  to  107   f  for accommodating larger plumbing pipes or larger volumes of air, e.g. for cold air returns. One or more of the regular service conduits, e.g.  107   b , can be connected to the lateral service conduit  113 . Connector blocks  114   a  and  114   b  acting as a mating surface extend from the inner end  101  for connecting and aligning the service conduits  107   a  to  107   f  with corresponding mating surfaces on the roof slab panels  18  and the service conduits therein. Connector blocks  116   a  and  116   b  act as a mating surface, and extend from the outer end  102  for connecting and aligning the service conduits  107   a  to  107   f  with corresponding mating surfaces on the roof shade panels  19  and the service conduits therein. A shoulder  118  is provided at the inner and outer ends  101  and  102 , respectively, providing a mounting surface for supporting the roof slabs  18 .  
         [0102]     Similar to base and ceiling panels  2  and  4 , respectively, a 90° corner roof panel  121  ( FIGS. 31   a  and  31   b ) or two 45° corner ceiling panels  122  ( FIGS. 32   a  and  32   b ) are provided for the intersection of perpendicular walls. Angled roof panels  126 ,  127 ,  128  and  129  ( FIGS. 33   a ,  33   b ,  34   a ,  34   b ,  35   a  and  35   b ) are provided for rounded or non-perpendicular walls.  
         [0103]     Typical base or ceiling slab panels  7  and  14 , illustrated in  FIG. 36 , include several sets of service conduits  131   a  to  131   f  for aligning with the service conduits  47   a  to  47   f  of adjacent base panels  2  or service conduits  77   a  to  77   f  of adjacent ceiling panels  4 . A plurality of connector blocks  132 , which act as the corresponding mating surface, extend from the sides of the slab panels  7  or  14  for engaging the inner ends  41  or  71  of the base or ceiling panels  7  or  14 , respectively. The sides of the base and ceiling slab panels  7  and  14  are supported on the shoulders  45  and  75 , respectively. Access conduits  133   a  to  133   f , extending perpendicular to the service conduits  131   a  to  131   f , are provided for access thereof.  
         [0104]     A circular base or ceiling slab  134 , illustrated in  FIG. 37 , includes a plurality of connector blocks  132  at various locations around the outer edge thereof for engaging the rounded base or ceiling panels  59  or  96 , and for aligning the service conduits  137   a  to  137   c  with the service conduits  47   a ,  47   b  and  47   f  of adjacent base panels  2  or service conduits  77   a ,  77   b  and  77   f  of adjacent ceiling panels  4 .  
         [0105]     With reference to  FIG. 38 , the roof slab panels  18  include a slightly angled inner end  141  for engaging the upwardly extending inner end  101  of the roof panels  5 , an outer end  142 , a top surface (not shown) and a bottom surface (not shown). Service conduits  147   a  to  147   f  extend from the inner end  141  to the outer end  142 , with access conduits  148   a  to  148   f  extending therefrom to the top and/or bottom surfaces.  
         [0106]      FIGS. 39 and 40  illustrate a roof slab panel  161  in the shape of a dome for placing on the outer ends  102  of a plurality of curved roof panels  129  forming a circular roof. Forming a domed roof in-situ can be a costly undertaking; however, the present invention provides a one piece molded dome providing easy installation. A plurality of first, second and third service conduits  162   a ,  162   b , and  162   c , respectively, radially extend inside the domed roof slab panel  161 . A first access conduit  163   a  extends from an exterior surface  164  to an interior surface (not shown) at the end of each first service conduit  162   a . A second access conduit  163   b  extends from the exterior surface  164  to the interior surface  165  at the junction of the second and third service conduits  162   b  and  162   c . Mating connector blocks  167  extend outwardly from around the domed roof slab panel  161  for mating with the outer ends  102  of the curved roof panels  129 , and for aligning three of the service conduits therein with the service conduits  162   a  to  162   c.    
         [0107]     During construction of full-size structures a sealant is used to fill in the cracks between panels to prevent drafts. For miniature structures, an adhesive can be used to more strongly hold the panels together. Moreover, the block connectors  29   a ,  29   b ,  31   a ,  31   b  etc. can frictionally engage the recess connectors  51 ,  71 ,  81 ,  82 ,  111  to hold the panels together. A series of holes  151  are provided in the inner and outer surfaces of each wall, ceiling and roof panel  3 ,  4  and  5 , respectively, for receiving wall brackets  152 , which are used to secure finishing panels  153 . Each finishing panel  153  includes an insulation layer  156  and a plywood layer  157 . On the wall panels  3  and the lower surfaces of the roof panels  5 , the roof slab panels  18 , the ceiling panels  4 , and the ceiling slab panels  14 , the finishing panels  153  can be painted directly or can provide a supporting surface for other materials, such as plaster, drywall, ceramic etc. On the exterior surface  25  of the wall panels  3 , the finishing panels  153  serve as a supporting surface for external wall covers, such as siding, brick etc. For the upper surfaces of base panels  2 , the base slab panels  7 , the ceiling panels  4 , and the ceiling slab panels  14 , the finishing panels  153  provide a mounting surface for floor covering, such as ceramic tile, hardwood floors, carpeting etc.  
         [0108]     Specialized structures, such as swimming pool  201  ( FIG. 44 ), can also be constructed utilizing the modular building system according to the present invention. The swimming pool  201  is constructed from a plurality of triangular shaped base panels  202  ( FIG. 46 ), a plurality of H-shaped wall panels  203  ( FIG. 47 ), and a plurality of upper shoulder panels  204 . The base of the swimming pool  201  also includes a circular slab panel  205 . The base panels  202  include at least one service conduit  206 , for electrical service, extending thereacross with access conduits  207  extending upwardly to an upper surface thereof. A connector recess  208  is provided in the wide end of the base panels  202  for receiving the wall panels  203 . At least one of the wall panels  203  includes a first service conduit  211  for water extending thereacross, and second and third service conduits  212  and  213  extending downwardly therethrough for water drainage, and electrical, respectively. The rest of the wall panels  203  require only the first service conduit  211  for return water. Each wall panel  203  includes a lower connector foot  216   a  and  216   b  for mating with the base panels  202 , and upper connector foot  217   a  and  217   b  for mating with the shoulder panels  204 . As above, the lower connector foot  216   a  mates with one base panel  202 , while the lower connector foot  216   b  mates with an adjacent base panel  202 .  
         [0109]      FIG. 49  illustrates the service conduit system including the first service conduit  211  for water input, which encircles the top rim of the pool  201 , the second service conduit  212  for water drainage, which is a single output pipe, the third service conduit for electrical wiring  213 , which encircles the base of the pool, and the fourth service conduit  214 , which encircles the top rim of the pool  201 , for water overflow. Deck panels  221  with a railing  222  can also be provided for safety reasons.  
         [0110]     A rectangular or oval pool, partially illustrated in  FIG. 50 , includes rectangular base panels  225  with rectangular slab panels  226  in the overlapping arrangement, as discussed above. The wall panels  203  interlock with the base panels  225  in the overlapping arrangement, as well. Upper shoulder panels  204  are also provide with deck panels  221  and railings  222  extending therefrom.  
         [0111]     FIGS.  51  to  57  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the panels are constructed out of logs. A log building  301  includes log base panels  302 , log wall panels  303 , log ceiling panels  304 , and log roof panels  305 . Log/ceiling slab panels  307  extend between the log or ceiling panels  302  or  304 , while roof slab panels  308  extend between roof panels  305 .  
         [0112]     As illustrated in  FIG. 52 , the log base panel  302  includes two full logs  311  for the lower mounting layer, four half logs  312  for the middle support layer, and an upper finished wood layer  313 . A female connector recess  314  is provided in the upper finished wood layer  313  for receiving the log base panels  302 . Connector blocks  316  extend from each end of the log base panel  302  for interconnecting with the log slab panels  307 . Preferably, bearing plates  64  are provided on the footings for receiving the domed-shaped bearings  63  extending from the logs of the lower mounting layer  311 , for reasons defined above. Service conduits are formed between the logs in the various layers wherever required. Access conduits are cut or formed through the sides of the panel wherever required.  
         [0113]     The log wall panels  311  include two layers of nine circular logs each connected together defining service conduits  321   a  to  321   f  in between each grouping of four logs connected together. Connector blocks  322  extend from each end of the log wall panel for interlocking with the base, ceiling and roof panels  302 ,  304  and  305 , respectively.  
         [0114]     The log ceiling panel  304  includes a bottom layer of logs  325  defining a first female connector  326  for receiving the connector blocks  322  from a pair of log wall panels  311  making up a lower wall. An intermediate layer of logs  327 , perpendicular to the bottom layer  325 , is provided along with a layer of half logs  328  mounted thereacross. The half log layer  328  provides a flat base for the finishing log layer  329 , which also defines a second female connector  331  for receiving the connector blocks  322  from a pair of log wall panels  311  making up an upper wall. Connector blocks  332  extend from the ends of the log ceiling panel  304  for mating with a pair of adjacent ceiling slab panels  307 . Each ceiling slab panel  307  ( FIG. 56 ) includes connector blocks  342  extending therefrom for mating with a pair of adjacent log ceiling panels  304 , and each roof slab panel  308  ( FIG. 57 ) includes connector blocks  343  extending therefrom for mating with a pair of adjacent log roof panels  305 . Service conduits are formed between the logs in the various layers wherever required. Access conduits are cut or formed through the sides of the panel wherever required. The ceiling and roof slab panels  307  and  308  may also be constructed of two layers of logs, similar to the wall panels  303  providing service conduits between each grouping of logs.  
         [0115]     Similarly, the roof panel  305  includes a bottom layer of logs  335 , defining a first female connector  336  for receiving the connector blocks  322  from a pair of wall panels  302 , and an intermediate layer of logs  337 , with an additional layer of half logs  338  mounted thereacross. As above, the half-log layer  338  provides a base for a finishing log layer  339 . Connector blocks  341  extend from the ends of the finishing log layer  339  for mating with a pair of adjacent roof slab panels  308 . Service conduits are formed between the logs in the various layers wherever required. Access conduits are cut or formed through the sides of the panel wherever required.

Technology Category: 0