System for modular construction

Abstract

A system for construction whereby a virtually unlimited number of structural configurations relating to vastly different applications can be assembled using relatively few different structural members. Structural members are sized and slotted according to a standardized system. Because structural members are sized and slotted according to the standardized system, the vast majority of structural members are interchangeable and inter-connectable with other structural members to allow for scaling and expansion of structural assemblies while maintaining consistent spacing. This wide range of interchangeability and consistently spaced inter-connectibility overcomes conventional restraints which have, historically, limited design flexibility and the resulting utility of conventionally constructed items.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A system for construction comprising a plurality of structural members each having two equal length parallel lengthwise sides and two equal length parallel widthwise sides, the lengthwise sides and widthwise sides having an equal thickness and defining by the equal thickness a first planar side and a second planar side, the respective planar sides being in parallel planar disposition with respect to each other, each of the plurality of structural members defining 
 by a first slot edge and a second slot edge each perpendicular to at least one widthwise side and extending a predetermined length from the at least one widthwise side in a direction parallel to the lengthwise sides and terminating at a slot end of the structural member, or    by the first and the second slot edges each perpendicular to at least one lengthwise side and extending a predetermined length from the at least one lengthwise side in a direction parallel to the widthwise sides and terminating at a slot end of the structural member,    at least one slot, whereby if the structural member defines more than one slot on the respective lengthwise or widthwise side, the structural member defines a first slot of the more than one slots at a predetermined distance X from a first adjacent lengthwise or widthwise side, and defines any subsequent slot at a whole-number multiple of the predetermined distance X from the first defined slot.    
     
     
         2 . The system of    claim 1    wherein at least one of the plurality of structural members has a plurality of dowels extending from the thickness of at least one widthwise side.  
     
     
         3 . The system of    claim 2   , wherein at least one of the plurality of structural members defines, within the first planar side or the second planar side, a plurality of dowel holes for receiving each of the plurality of dowels.  
     
     
         4 . The system of    claim 3   , wherein the first planar side or the second planar side defines, at the predetermined distance X from the first adjacent lengthwise or widthwise side, at least one of the plurality of dowel holes.  
     
     
         5 . The system of    claim 1   , further comprising 
 a plurality of dowel structural members each having a plurality of dowels, each of the plurality of dowels extending from the thickness of at least one widthwise side; and    a surface structural member having a first planar side and a second planar side, the respective planar sides being in parallel planar disposition with respect to each other and defining, within the first planar side or the second planar side, a plurality of dowel holes for receiving each of the plurality of dowels.    
     
     
         6 . The system of    claim 5   , wherein the first planar side or the second planar side defines, at the predetermined distance X from the first adjacent lengthwise or widthwise side, at least one of the plurality of dowel holes.  
     
     
         7 . A system for construction comprising a plurality of structural members each having two equal length parallel lengthwise sides and two equal length parallel widthwise sides, the lengthwise sides and widthwise sides having an equal thickness and defining by the equal thickness a first planar side and a second planar side, the respective planar sides being in parallel planar disposition with respect to each other, at least one of the plurality of structural members defining by a first slot edge, a second slot edge, and a slot end a first defined slot, the first defined slot having a center line parallel to a respective lengthwise side or widthwise side, the linear distance between the center line of the first defined slot and the respective lengthwise side or widthwise side being a predetermined distance X.  
     
     
         8 . The system of    claim 7   , wherein at least one structural member of the plurality of structural members defines at least one subsequent defined slot, any subsequent defined slots being centered at a whole-number multiples of the predetermined distance X from the center line of the first defined slot.  
     
     
         9 . The system of    claim 8   , wherein the subsequent slots are defined by the same lengthwise or widthwise sides as the first defined slot.  
     
     
         10 . The system of    claim 7    wherein at least one of the plurality of structural members has a plurality of dowels extending from the thickness of at least one widthwise or lengthwise side.  
     
     
         11 . The system of    claim 7   , wherein at least one of the plurality of structural members defines, within the first planar side or the second planar side, a plurality of dowel holes for receiving each of the plurality of dowels.  
     
     
         12 . The system of    claim 10   , wherein the first planar side or the second planar side defines, at the predetermined distance X from the first adjacent lengthwise or widthwise side, at least one of the plurality of dowel holes.  
     
     
         13 . The system of    claim 7   , further comprising 
 a plurality of dowel structural members each having a plurality of dowels, each of the plurality of dowels extending from the thickness of either widthwise side; and    a surface structural member having a first planar side and a second planar side, the respective planar sides being in parallel planar disposition with respect to each other and defining, within the first planar side or the second planar side, a plurality of dowel holes for receiving each of the plurality of dowels.    
     
     
         14 . The system of    claim 13   , wherein the first planar side or the second planar side defines, at the predetermined distance X from the first adjacent lengthwise or widthwise side, at least one of the plurality of dowel holes.  
     
     
         15 . A system for construction comprising a plurality of structural members each having at least three sides, each of the at least three sides having an equal thickness and defining by the equal thickness a first planar side and a second planar side, the respective planar sides being in parallel planar disposition with respect to each other, at least one of the plurality of structural members defining through the equal thickness by a first slot edge, a second slot edge, and a slot end a first defined slot, the first defined slot being centered on a center line parallel to an adjacent side of the at least three sides, the linear distance between the center line of the first defined slot and the respective adjacent side being a predetermined distance X.  
     
     
         16 . The system of    claim 15   , wherein at least one structural member of the plurality of structural members defines at least one subsequent defined slot, any subsequent defined slots being centered at a whole-number multiples of the predetermined distance X from the center line of the first defined slot.  
     
     
         17 . The system of    claim 16   , wherein the subsequent slots are defined by the same adjacent side as the first defined slot.  
     
     
         18 . The system of    claim 15    wherein at least one of the plurality of structural members has a plurality of dowels extending from the thickness of at least one side.  
     
     
         19 . The system of    claim 15   , wherein at least one of the plurality of structural members defines, within the first planar side or the second planar side, a plurality of dowel holes for receiving each of the plurality of dowels.  
     
     
         20 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein the first planar side or the second planar side defines, at the predetermined distance X from an adjacent side, at least one of the plurality of dowel holes.  
     
     
         21 . The system of    claim 15   , further comprising 
 a plurality of dowel structural members each having a plurality of dowels, each of the plurality of dowels extending from the thickness of any one of the at least three sides; and    a surface structural member having a first planar side and a second planar side, the respective planar sides being in parallel planar disposition with respect to each other and defining, within the first planar side or the second planar side, a plurality of dowel holes for receiving each of the plurality of dowels.    
     
     
         22 . The system of    claim 21   , wherein the first planar side or the second planar side defines, at the predetermined distance X from the adjacent side, at least one of the plurality of dowel holes.