Systems and Methods for Modular Building Construction with Integrated Utility Service

Abstract

Systems and methods for construction using modular units, such as wall panels, which have integrated utility service. One embodiment comprises a product including a modular construction panel and one or more utility fittings which are integral to the panel. The utility fittings may be for any type of utility service, such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, computer network, phone or audio/video service. The fittings in the panels may be electrical wires or plumbing conduits. The panels may include connectors (e.g., quick-connect connectors) for coupling the utility fittings which are integral to the panel to service points such as wiring harnesses or water source pipes that are external to the panel and that provide utility service to the utility fittings. The panels may also include connectors for coupling the integral utility fittings to utility fixtures external the panel, such as light switches, electrical outlets, computer network jacks, phone jacks, faucets, drains, etc.

1 . A product comprising: 
 a modular construction panel; and    one or more utility fittings which are integral to the panel.    
   
   
       2 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the utility fittings are selected from the group consisting of: electrical wires; and plumbing conduits.  
   
   
       3 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the utility fittings comprise fittings for a utility service selected from the group consisting of: electrical service; plumbing service; 
 HVAC service; network service; phone service; and audio/video service.    
   
   
       4 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the utility fittings comprise fittings for two or more different utility services.  
   
   
       5 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises one or more connectors configured to couple the utility fittings integral to the panel to one or more service points that provide utility service to the utility fittings.  
   
   
       6 . The product of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more service points comprise intermediate service points, and wherein each of the intermediate service points is configured to be coupled to a corresponding central service point that provides utility service to the intermediate service point.  
   
   
       7 . The product of  claim 5 , wherein the utility fittings comprise electrical fittings and the service points comprise a wiring harness.  
   
   
       8 . The product of  claim 5 , wherein the utility fittings comprise plumbing fittings and the service points comprise a plumbing manifold.  
   
   
       9 . The product of  claim 6 , wherein the connectors comprise quick-connect fittings.  
   
   
       10 . The product of  claim 6 , wherein the connectors are configured to couple utility fittings which are integral to a first panel to utility fittings which are integral to a second panel.  
   
   
       11 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises one or more quick-connect connectors configured to couple utility fixtures which are external to the panel to the utility fittings which are integral to the panel.  
   
   
       12 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises one or more connectors configured to couple utility fittings within the panel to utility fittings within a different panel.  
   
   
       13 . A building system comprising: 
 a service distribution system configured to receive utility service from a point external to a building and to deliver utility service to one or more points internal to the building;    a plurality of modular building panels having integral utility fittings; and    one or more connectors configured to couple the utility fittings of the building panels to the service distribution system to provide utility service to the utility fittings.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the utility fittings comprise electrical wiring embedded within the building panels and the service distribution system comprises a wiring harness.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the utility fittings further comprise one or more electrical fixtures.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the utility fittings comprise plumbing conduits embedded within the building panels and the service distribution system comprises a water distribution system.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the utility fittings further comprise one or more plumbing fixtures.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the connectors comprise quick-connect fittings that are configured to be coupled to the modular building panels and to the service distribution system without tools.