Modular building system and componentry

Abstract

A multi-dispositional, modular, building-structure component including (a) an elongate body having a long axis, and a substantially constant and consistent trans-axial cross-sectional configuration distributed along the body's long axis, with the body possessing at least one planar facial expanse having (1) opposite sides, and (2) spaced, opposite, lateral edges, (b) at least one generally rectangular, elongate, box-like channel extending along the component's long axis adjacent and joined to one of the body's expanse's opposite sides, and (c) a pair of elongate, laterally spaced, interconnect-accommodating flanges joined to and extending along the body's expanse's opposite lateral edges, occupying spaced, generally parallel planes which are disposed generally normal to the plane of the facial expanse.

1 . A multi-dispositional, modular, building-structure component comprising 
 an elongate body having a long axis, and a substantially constant and consistent trans-axial cross-sectional configuration distributed along said axis,    said body including (a) at least one planar facial expanse having opposite sides and spaced, opposite, lateral edges, (b) at least one generally rectangular, elongate, box-like channel extending along said axis adjacent and joined to one of said opposite sides of said expanse, and (c) a pair of elongate, laterally spaced, interconnect-accommodating flanges joined to and extending along said expanses said opposite lateral edges, and extending in spaced, generally parallel planes which are disposed generally normal to the plane of said expanse.    
   
   
       2 . The component of  claim 1  which has trans-axial, cross-sectional, orthogonally-related dimensions that are similar to one another.  
   
   
       3 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein said component is beam-like in configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The component of  claim 2  which is structurally configured in a manner which enables it to function in a building structure as any one of (a) a column, (b) a rafter, (c) a beam, and (d) a joist.  
   
   
       5 . The component of  claim 4  which includes plural channels designed to receive and support different categories of building infrastructure.  
   
   
       6 . The component of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said channels is constructed to function per se as a liquid-carrying conduit.  
   
   
       7 . The component of  claim 1  which has trans-axial, cross-sectional, orthogonally-related dimensions that are substantially dissimilar to one another.  
   
   
       8 . The component of  claim 7 , wherein said component has a flat, panel-like configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The component of  claim 7  which is structurally configured in a manner which enables it to function in a building structure as any one of (a) sub-floor structure, (b) finished floor structure, (c) interior wall structure, (d) sheathing structure, (e) ceiling structure, (f) roofing structure, and (g) exterior siding structure.  
   
   
       10 . The component of  claim 9  which includes plural channels designed to receive and support different categories of building infrastructure.  
   
   
       11 . The component of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said channels is constructed to function per se as a liquid-carrying conduit.  
   
   
       12 . The component of  claim 1  which is formed from a composite material including cooperative, distributed strand and binder structures.  
   
   
       13 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein said strand structure includes natural fibre material.  
   
   
       14 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein said binder structure takes the form of a polymer material.  
   
   
       15 . The component of  claim 1  which is structured whereby it offers utility in an overall building structure in a manner whereby its long axis may lie in any one of (a) a vertical plane, (b) a horizontal plane, and (c) a plane which is angled/inclined relative to both the vertical and the horizontal.  
   
   
       16 . The component of  claim 15  which (a) with its axis disposed in a vertical plane, presents an attaching channel which is catch-engageable in a horizontal plane, (b) with its axis disposed in a horizontal plane presents an attaching channel which is catch-engageable in a vertical plane, and (c) with its axis disposed in an a first, inclined plane presents an attaching channel which is catch-engageable in a second, inclined plane, where that second, inclined plane is substantially normal to the mentioned first inclined plane.  
   
   
       17 . The component of  claim 1  which is configured to be installed, at least in part, utilizing an engaging catch structure which is shaped to become releasably caught non-invasively in said at least one box-like channel.  
   
   
       18 . A building-structure component comprising 
 an elongate, planar, facial expanse having opposite sides and occupying a first nominal plane, and    an elongate, planar, stiffener expanse joined to one of the opposite sides of said facial expanse, and occupying a second nominal plane which is substantially orthogonal relative to said first nominal plane,    said facial and stiffener expanses cooperatively forming at least portions of an elongate, laterally outwardly facing, box-like channel possessing a laterally accessible, elongate opening which is defined, at least in part, by a pair of spaced, elongate generally co-planar flanges which lie in a third nominal plane that is generally parallel-planar with respect to one of said first and second nominal planes.    
   
   
       19 . The component of  claim 18 , wherein said facial and stiffener expanses form integral portions of an elongate body which has a long axis, and a substantially constant and consistent trans-axial cross-sectional configuration distributed along said axis.  
   
   
       20 . The component of  claim 18  which is formed from a composite material including cooperative, distributed strand structure and plastic binder structure.  
   
   
       21 . The component of  claim 20 , wherein said strand structure includes natural fiber material.  
   
   
       22 . The component of  claim 20 , wherein said binder structure takes the form of a polymer material.  
   
   
       23 . The component of  claim 1  which takes the form of an extruded structure.