Modular building system

Abstract

A modular building system that has three main components: a selection of tube sections, a selection of removable connectors that can connect multiple tube sections together at various angles to form a structural skeleton having geometrically shaped sides, and a selection of geometrically shaped structural panels that structurally engage the geometrically shaped side panels of the structural skeleton is disclosed. The removable connectors may be removed after the panel sections are installed. The panel sections can provide additional structural support and strength to the structural skeleton with the inclusion of additional bracing and supports. The panel sections can also have a pre-finished surface. The panel sections may also have additional features to facilitate construction, such as providing for insulation, the routing of electrical wiring, plumbing lines, ventilation ductwork, or communications cabling.

1 . A modular building system, comprising: 
 a selection of tube sections,    a selection of removable connectors, wherein said connectors connect said tube sections together to form a structural skeleton comprising geometrically shaped sides, and    a selection of geometrically shaped panel sections wherein said panel sections structurally engage said geometrically shaped sides of said structural skeleton.    
   
   
       2 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube sections have a closed cross section.  
   
   
       3 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube sections have an open cross section.  
   
   
       4 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube sections comprise square tubing.  
   
   
       5 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube sections comprise round tubing.  
   
   
       6 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube sections comprise at least one channel to receive a flange on said connectors.  
   
   
       7 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube sections comprise a channel to receive a flange on said panel sections.  
   
   
       8 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube sections comprise a plurality of holes for receiving a fastener.  
   
   
       9 . The modular building system according to  claim 8 , wherein said holes are distributed along the length of said tube sections.  
   
   
       10 . The modular building system according to  claim 8 , wherein said holes are evenly spaced along the length of said tube sections.  
   
   
       11 . The modular building system according to  claim 8 , wherein said holes are unevenly spaced along the length of said tube sections.  
   
   
       12 . The modular building system according to  claim 8 , wherein said fasteners comprise bolts.  
   
   
       13 . The modular building system according to  claim 8 , wherein said fasteners comprise rivets.  
   
   
       14 . The modular building system according to  claim 8 , wherein said fasteners comprise screws.  
   
   
       15 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removable connectors have a closed cross section.  
   
   
       16 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removable connectors have an open cross section.  
   
   
       17 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removable connectors comprise square tubing.  
   
   
       18 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removable connectors comprise round tubing.  
   
   
       19 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removable connectors comprise at least one flange for engaging a channel on said tube sections.  
   
   
       20 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removable connectors comprise a plurality of holes for receiving a fastener.  
   
   
       21 . The modular building system according to  claim 20 , wherein said holes are distributed along the length of said removable connectors.  
   
   
       22 . The modular building system according to  claim 20 , wherein said holes are evenly spaced along the length of said removable connectors.  
   
   
       23 . The modular building system according to  claim 20 , wherein said holes are unevenly spaced along the length of said removable connectors.  
   
   
       24 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise at least one flange for engaging said tube sections.  
   
   
       25 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise a plurality of holes for receiving a fastener.  
   
   
       26 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise square panels.  
   
   
       27 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise triangular panels.  
   
   
       28 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise rectangular panels.  
   
   
       29 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise circular panels.  
   
   
       30 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise semicircular shaped panels.  
   
   
       31 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise polygonal shaped panels.  
   
   
       32 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise at least one pre-finished surface.  
   
   
       33 . The modular building system according to  claim 32 , wherein said at least one pre-finished surface comprises a pre-finished exterior surface.  
   
   
       34 . The modular building system according to  claim 33 , wherein said pre-finished exterior surface comprises siding.  
   
   
       35 . The modular building system according to  claim 33 , wherein said pre-finished exterior surface comprises shingles.  
   
   
       36 . The modular building system according to  claim 33 , wherein said pre-finished exterior surface comprises bricks.  
   
   
       37 . The modular building system according to  claim 32 , wherein said at least one pre-finished surface comprises a pre-finished interior surface.  
   
   
       38 . The modular building system according to  claim 37 , wherein said pre-finished interior surface comprises sub-flooring.  
   
   
       39 . The modular building system according to  claim 37 , wherein said pre-finished interior surface comprises flooring.  
   
   
       40 . The modular building system according to  claim 37 , wherein said pre-finished interior surface comprises drywall.  
   
   
       41 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise means for routing electrical wiring.  
   
   
       42 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise means for routing plumbing.  
   
   
       43 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise means for routing communications cabling.  
   
   
       44 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise means for increasing the structural stability of said structural skeleton.  
   
   
       45 . The modular building system according to  claim 44 , wherein said means for increasing the structural stability of said structural skeleton comprises angle bracing within said panel sections.  
   
   
       46 . The modular building system according to  claim 44 , wherein said means for increasing the structural stability of said structural skeleton comprises cross bracing within said panel sections.  
   
   
       47 . The modular building system according to  claim 44 , wherein said means for increasing the structural stability of said structural skeleton comprises vertical bracing within said panel sections.  
   
   
       48 . The modular building system according to  claim 44 , wherein said means for increasing the structural stability of said structural skeleton comprises horizontal bracing within said panel sections.  
   
   
       49 . The modular building system according to  claim 48 , wherein said panel sections further comprise structural foam.  
   
   
       50 . The modular building system according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel sections comprise interior and exterior panels.  
   
   
       51 . The modular building system according to  claim 50 , wherein said interior and exterior panels have a pre-finished surface.  
   
   
       52 . The modular building system according to  claim 50 , wherein said panels have a flange to engage said tube section, said flange having a flange depth.  
   
   
       53 . The modular building system according to  claim 52 , wherein said tube sections are square, and 
 each side of said square tube is twice the size of said flange depth.    
   
   
       54 . A structure, comprising: 
 a selection of tube sections,    a selection of removable connectors, wherein said connectors connect said tube sections together to form a structural skeleton comprising geometrically shaped sides, and    a selection of geometrically shaped panel sections wherein said panel sections structurally engage said geometrically shaped sides of said structural skeleton.    
   
   
       55 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said tube sections have a closed cross section.  
   
   
       56 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said tube sections have an open cross section.  
   
   
       57 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said tube sections comprise at least one channel to receive a flange on said connectors.  
   
   
       58 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said tube sections comprise a channel to receive a flange on said panel sections.  
   
   
       59 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said tube sections comprise a plurality of holes for receiving a fastener.  
   
   
       60 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said removable connectors have a closed cross section.  
   
   
       61 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said removable connectors have an open cross section.  
   
   
       62 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said removable connectors comprise at least one flange for engaging a flange on said tube sections.  
   
   
       63 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said removable connectors comprise a plurality of holes for receiving a fastener.  
   
   
       64 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said panel sections comprise at least one flange for engaging said tube sections.  
   
   
       65 . The structure according to  claim 54 , wherein said panel sections comprise a plurality of holes for receiving a fastener.  
   
   
       66 . A method of constructing a structure, comprising the steps of: 
 connecting a selection of tube sections with a selection of removable connectors, wherein said tube sections and said connectors form a structural skeleton having geometrically shaped sides, and    connecting a selection of panel sections to said structural skeleton.    
   
   
       67 . The method according to  claim 66 , further comprising the step of removing said removable connectors after connecting said panel sections.  
   
   
       68 . The modular building system according to  claim 24 , wherein said panel sections comprise raised triangular perimeter sections having channels defined therebetween and recessed interiors, said channels and perimeter sections being adapted to engage said tube sections.  
   
   
       69 . The modular building system according to  claim 68 , wherein said tube sections are fastened to said panels via fasteners protruding through said perimeter sections into said tube sections.  
   
   
       70 . The modular building system according to  claim 69 , wherein said channels have a depth approximately half a depth of said tube sections, and wherein said system is configured such that an opposing panel section can be disposed in sandwiching relation with said panel section about said tube sections.