MODULAR CONSTRUCTION UNIT CONNECTION SYSTEM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES

This application claims benefit of US provisional patent serial No. 63/738,584, filed on December 24, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to construction, and modular construction in particular.

BACKGROUND

Traditional building construction methods usually result in errors that reduce the strength, size, and precision of multi-storied buildings. As a result, it is common for traditionally-constructed buildings to have deformations, failure of building modules to connect, slabs cracking, and difficulties to close doors and windows.

As such, the modular construction system is desirable because of the generally reduced costs and higher precision. The higher precision reduces the errors in the resulting building and improve the chance of successful module connections.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a connection system for efficiently and securely connecting modular construction units. The system includes a first connection plate with a locator hole for receiving a connection pin and a bolt hole for receiving a connector. A second connection plate with a corresponding bolt hole is provided, allowing the two plates to be connected via the connector passing through their respective bolt holes. A spacer with locator holes can be positioned between the first connection plate and a third connection plate that also has a locator hole, enabling connection pins to pass through and connect the plates and spacer. Extensions on the plates allow connection to adjacent parts. This modular connection system facilitates rapid assembly and disassembly of the construction units for various applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to embodiments and to the drawing in which are shown:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of modular construction units that are not connected.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of modular construction units that are connected.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show one embodiment the connection plates.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show another embodiment the connection plates.

FIG. 5 shows the perspective view of yet another embodiment the connection plate.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the connection pin.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the spacer.

FIG. 8A shows an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of connection system relative to the modular construction units.

FIG. 8B shows the perspective view of the connection system of FIG. 8A that connects the modular construction units, as shown in portion A of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9A shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of connection system relative to the modular construction units.

FIG. 9B shows the perspective view of the connection system of FIG. 9A that connects the modular construction units, as shown in portion B of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 10A shows an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of connection system relative to the modular construction units.

FIG. 10B shows the perspective view of the connection system of FIG. 10A that connects the modular construction units, as shown in portion B of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 11A shows an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of connection system relative to the modular construction units.

FIG. 11B shows the perspective view of the connection system of FIG. 11A that connects the modular construction units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. In some instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure.

As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the contest in which such term is used.

The terms "a," "an," and "the" and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.

As used in this disclosure, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising" and "comprises," are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

The term “connected,” "attached to" or similar expression may indicate that the elements are directly connected to each other or connected through other components.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, which shows the modular construction units before and after they are connected to form a bigger unit.

Each modular construction unit is manufactured from multiple beams connected to each other to form a unitary structure.

In FIG. 1, the units 100, 200, and 300 are separate.

In FIG. 2, the units 100, 200, and 300 are combined into a bigger unit 1000.

By changing the size of the beams, the size of each unit 100, 200, and 300 can be changed. By changing the number of units connected, the size of the bigger unit 1000 can be changed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show two embodiments, connection plate 3A and connection plate 3B, which are substantially mirror images of each other.

The connection plate 3A includes a body 303. Bolt holes 302 are configured on the body 303.

The body 303 has one corner cut off. In some embodiments, the bolt holes 302 are disposed adjacent to the edge of the body 303 formed by cutting off the corner. The position of the bolt holes 302 may be configured differently depending on the needs. In some embodiments, the body 303 is of a different shape depending on the needs.

A locator hole 301 is configured in a section of the body 303 away from the cut off corner and adjacent to a corner of the body 303. A recess 305 is configured around the locator hole 301.

The connection plate 3A also includes an extension 304 that extends from the recess 305 away from the rest of the body 303. In some embodiments, the extension 304 is generally rectangular. The extension 304 can be welded to a neighboring part, for example, another beam.

The recess 305 is substantially rectangular and opens on the edge of the body 303 opposite the cut off corner and adjacent the extension 304. The recess 305 may be of different shape depending on the needs.

Depending on the needs, there may be various numbers of locator holes 301 and bolt holes 302.

In some embodiments, the holes 302 are threaded such that bolts can be threadedly disposed in the holes 302.

The connection plate 3B includes a body 309. Holes 310 are configured on the body 309. The holes 310 are located such that they correspond to the holes 302 such that bolts can pass through holes 302 and 310.

A locator hole 306 is configured in a section of the body 309 away from the cut off corner and adjacent to a corner of the body 309. A recess 307 is configured around the locator hole 306.

The connection plate 3B also includes an extension 308 that extends from the recess 307 away from the rest of the body 309. In some embodiments, the extension 308 is generally rectangular. The extension 308 can be welded to a neighboring part, for example, another beam.

The recess 307 is substantially rectangular and opens on the edge of the body 309 opposite the cut off corner and adjacent the extension 308. The recess 307 may be of different shape depending on the needs.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show two embodiments, connection plate 4A and connection plate 4B, of the connection plates.

The connection plate 4A and connection 4B may cooperate to enable connection therebetween.

The connection plate 4A includes a body 404 that is generally rectangular with two corners cut off.

Bolt holes 402 are configured on the edges of the cut-off corners on of the body 404.

A locator hole 401 is disposed adjacent an edge of the body 404 away from the cut-off corners. A recess 403 is defined around the locator hole 401. The recess 403 is generally rectangular and is open on the edge of the body 404 away from the cut corners. The recess 403 may be of different shapes depending on the needs.

The connection plate 4B includes a body 407. Bolt holes 406 are configured on the edges of the cut off corners of the body 407. The bolt holes 406 are located to correspond to the bolt holes 402 such that bolts can fit through the bolt holes 402 and the bolt holes 406.

A locator hole 405 is disposed adjacent an edge of the body 407 away from the cut-off corners. The locator hole 405 corresponds to the locator hole 401 such that a pin can pass through both locator holes 401 and 405.

A recess 408 is defined around the locator hole 405. The recess 408 is generally rectangular and is open on the edge of the body 407 away from the cut corners. The recess 408 may be of different shapes depending on the needs.

In some embodiments, the bolt holes 402 are threaded so that bolts can be threadedly disposed in the holes 402. In some embodiments, the bolt holes 406 are threaded such that bolts can be threadedly disposed in the bolt holes 406.

Depending on the needs, there may be various numbers of locator holes 401 and 405 and bolt holes 402 and 406.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the connection plate.

The connection plate 6 is generally rectangular with one corner cut off.

A locator hole 601 is disposed in a section of the connection plate 6 opposite from the cut-off corner. A recess 604 is configured around the locator hole 601. The recess 604 opens on one edge of the body 603 of the connection plate 6 opposite the cut off corner. The recess 604 may be of different shapes depending on the needs.

Bolt holes 602 is disposed on the edge of the body 603 formed by the cut-off angle.

In another embodiments, the connection plate 10 is provided, which is the mirror image of the connection plate 6. The connection plate 10 includes the body 1003, bolt holes 1002, locator hole 1001, and recess 1004 that correspond to the body 603, bolt holes 602, locator hole 601, and recess 604 of the connection plate 6.

The connection plate 6 and the connection plate 10 can be aligned such that the recesses 604 and 1004 align.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a connection pin.

The connection pin 1 includes a base 103. A stem 104 extends substantially perpendicularly from the base 103. A hole 102 is configured in the stem 104 to facilitate the movement of the structure. For example, a pin may be passed through the hole 102, which pin is then attached to a crane or similar machines to move the structure constructed from the modules.

The connection pin 1 also includes a portion 101 on the stem 104 away from the base. The dimension of the portion 101 decreases the further away from the base 103, ending in a tip 105. The tip 105 may be pointed. In some embodiments, the portion 101 may be conical frustum.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a spacer 2.

The spacer 2 includes a body 202 which defines two locator holes 201.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, which show one embodiment of the connection system attached to the modular construction units before and after the modular construction units are connected as shown in portion A of FIG. 2.

In the modular construction unit 200, two beams 7 that are transversely connected. A connection plate 5 is disposed at the joint between the two beams 7. The connection plate 5 is generally rectangular with a corner cut off. Bolt holes 501 are disposed on the edge formed by cutting off the edge.

In the modular construction unit 300, three beams 7 are transversely connected to form a T-shaped structure. A connection plate 3A is disposed across these three beams 7. One side of the connection plate 3A aligns with two beams 7, on which side the recess 305 opens. A connection pin 1 is disposed at the joint of the three beams 7, and passes through the locator hole 301.

Another three beams 7 are transversely connected to form a T-shaped structure. A connection plate 4A is disposed across these three beams 7. One side of the connection plate 4A aligns with the edge of two beams 7, on which side the recess 403 opens. A connection pin 1 disposed at the joint of the three beams passes through the locator hole 401 of the connection plate 4A.

The recesses 305 of the connection plate 3A and the recess 403 of the connection plate 4A are aligned to form a receptacle.

When the modular construction units 200 and 300 are connected, a spacer 2 is dropped into the recesses 305 and 403. The connection pins 1 passes through the two locator holes 201 of the spacer 2. In some embodiments, the thickness of the spacer 2 is the same as the depth of the recesses 403 and 305 such that a flat surface is formed between the spacer 2, the connection plate 3A and the connection plate 4A. As a result, the two parallel beams 7 are connected.

The bolt holes 302 and the bolt holes 501 are aligned to receive bolts 9 therethrough such that the connection plates 3 and 5 are connected.

The beam 8 extending vertically from three crossing beams 7 includes a hole 801, which may receive a portion of the connection pin 1 to enhance the strength of the combined structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, which show another embodiment of the connection system attached to the modular construction units before and after the modular construction units are connected as shown in portion B of FIG. 2.

In the modular construction unit 200, there are two beams 7 that are transversely connected. A connection plate 5 is disposed at the joint between the two beams 7. The connection plate 5 is generally rectangular with a corner cut off. Bolt holes 501 are disposed on the edge formed by cutting off the edge.

In the modular construction unit 300, three beams 7 are transversely connected to form a T-shaped structure. A connection plate 4A is disposed across the three beams. One side of the connection plate 4A aligns with two beams 7, on which side the recess 403 opens. A connection pin 1 disposed at the joint of the three beams passes through the locator hole 401 of the connection plate 4A.

When the units 200 and 300 are connected, a spacer 2 is disposed in the recess 403, and the connection pin 1 passes through the locator hole 201 of the spacer 2. The bolt holes 501 and 402 align such that bolts 9 can pass through to connect the connection plates 4 and 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, which show yet another embodiment of the connection system attached to the modular construction units before and after the modular construction units are connected as shown in portion C of FIG. 2.

In modular construction unit 300, two beams 7 are transversely connected. A connection plate 6 is disposed across the two beams 7. One side of the connection plate 6 aligns with the edge of one beam 7, on which side the recess 604 opens. A connection pin 1 is disposed at the

joint of the two beams 7 and passes through the locator hole 601 of the connection plate 6. The recess 604 opens on one side.

Another two beams 7 are transversely connected. A connection plate 10 is disposed across the two beams 7. One side of the connection plate 10 aligns with the edge of one beam 7, on which side the recess 1004 opens. A connection pin 1 is disposed at the joint of the two beams 7 and passes through the locator hole 1001 of the connection plate 10.

In some embodiments, the connection pin 1 includes threads that enable the connection pin 1 to be threadedly fixed. In some embodiments, a threaded nut is disposed to threadedly fix the connection pin 1 to the connection plate 10.

The joint of the first two beams 7 and the joint of the second two beams 7 are aligned. The recess 604 and the recess 1004 are aligned to form a receptacle.

In the modular construction unit 200, two beams 7 are transversely connected. A connection plate 5 is disposed at the joint between the two beams 7. The connection plate 5 is generally rectangular with a corner cut off. Bolt holes 501 are disposed on the edge formed by cutting off the edge. A beam 8 extends from the joint of the two beams 7 perpendicular to the two beams 7.

Another two beams 7 are transversely connected. A connection plate 5 is disposed at the joint between the two beams 7. The connection plate 5 is generally rectangular with a corner cut off. Bolt holes 501 are disposed on the edge formed by cutting off the edge. A beam 8 extends from the joint of the two beams 7 perpendicular to the two beams 7.

The two pairs of beams 7 are arranged such that the one beam 7 from a pair of beams is aligned parallelly with one beam from another pair of beams 7 and the two connection plates 5 are disposed on opposites of the two parallel beams 7.

When the modular construction units 200 and 300 are connected, a spacer 2 is disposed in the receptacle formed by recess 604 and 1004, and the connection pins 1 pass through the locator holes 601, 1001, and the locator holes 201 of the spacer 2. In some embodiments, the thickness of the spacer 2 is the same as the depth of the

The beams 8 have locator holes 801 configured therein such that the connection pins 1 that pass through the locator holes 201 are received in the locator holes 801.

The bolt holes 501 align with the bolt holes 602 and 1002 such that bolts 9 can pass therethrough to connect the connection plates 5 with connection plate 6 and connection plate 10.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11A and 11B.

The connection plate 4B are connected to the beam 7. For example, the connection plate 4B may be welded to the beam 7.

The connection plate 4A is connected to the base plate 11. The connection pin 1 is disposed in the locator hole 401. The connection pin 1 may be welded to the connection plate 4A. Alternatively, the connection pin 1 may be threaded, and a threaded nut may be disposed below the connection plate 4A such that the connection pin 1 can be connected to the connection plate 4A. In some embodiments, the locator hole 401 may be threaded so that the connection pin 1 can be threadedly connected to the connection plate 4A.

When the modular system is connected, the spacer 2 is placed over the connection pin 1, which passes through the locator holes 201. As such, neighboring connection plates 4A are connected.

The connection pin 1 then passes through the locator hole 405 of the connection plate 4B.

The connection plates 4A and 4B are then connected to each other by bolts through the bolt holes 402 and 406. As a result, the beam 7 is connected to the base plate 11.

Although the present disclosure has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present disclosure be limited not by the specific disclosure herein.