Flexible modular building framework

Abstract

A building framework includes metal columns (e.g., tubular or I-beam), wood-product beams, and bracket connectors for joining the beams to the columns to form a building joint of sufficient strength and durability for buildings suitable for human occupation. First mechanical fasteners (such as bolts and nuts) secure a selected connector to the column, and second mechanical fasteners (such as lag bolts) secure a selected beam to the connector. The columns include double rows of holes. A plurality of different connectors with differently angled flanges are provided, such that beams can be connected at a wide variety of different angles. Further, the system allows columns and/or beams to be cut at the construction site, or at a building supply company. Thus, basic building components can be inventoried in a manner not previously possible, yet the system supports a wide variety of different building frames for on-site customization and adaptability.

1 . A building frame comprising:
 metal columns with preformed holes;   wood-product beams;   connectors with a first surface matably engaging a selected area on one of the columns and a second surface matably engaging an end of a selected one of the wood-product beams;   first mechanical fasteners for securing the connector to the selected area using the holes; and   second mechanical fasteners for securing the connector to the end of the selected beam.   
   
   
       2 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the preformed holes form a continuous and regular pattern along a length of the columns. 
   
   
       3 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pattern includes two vertical rows. 
   
   
       4 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the columns include four flat sides, each of which includes at least one vertical row of the holes. 
   
   
       5 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wood-product beams include wood board. 
   
   
       6 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wood-product beams include bonded wood particles. 
   
   
       7 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wood-product beams include glulam. 
   
   
       8 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connectors are formed from sheet metal. 
   
   
       9 . The building frame defined in  claim 8 , wherein each connector includes two opposing brackets. 
   
   
       10 . The building frame defined in  claim 8 , wherein the opposing brackets each have a base flange engaging a side of one of the columns and a second flange oriented toward an angle defined by a length of the beam that is engaged. 
   
   
       11 . The building frame defined in  claim 10 , wherein the base flanges each include second holes that align with the preformed holes in the column. 
   
   
       12 . The building frame defined in  claim 10 , wherein the base flanges each include slots that permit adjustment of the opposing brackets tight against the beam that is engaged. 
   
   
       13 . The building frame defined in  claim 12 , including a plate within the column with third holes that align with the second holes in the base flange. 
   
   
       14 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first fasteners include bolts and nuts. 
   
   
       15 . The building frame defined in  claim 14 , wherein the second fasteners include lag bolts. 
   
   
       16 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , including an extender column and an extender bracketry for connecting the extender column to an associated second one of the columns in an aligned stable position. 
   
   
       17 . The building frame defined in  claim 16 , wherein the extender bracketry includes internal plates for engaging the extender column and the associated second column. 
   
   
       18 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the columns are tubular and include access holes on at least one side for manipulating fasteners within the column. 
   
   
       19 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connectors include corner connectors adapted to attach to a corner of the column. 
   
   
       20 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connectors include at least two different connectors for engaging beams at different horizontal angles. 
   
   
       21 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the column material includes structural steel forming an I-beam shape. 
   
   
       22 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , wherein the columns are steel, and the beams are one of roof rafters and wall top plates. 
   
   
       23 . The building frame defined in  claim 1 , including structural insulated panels attached to the beams using long screws to form a roof. 
   
   
       24 . A building comprising the building frame defined in  claim 1  and further where the columns have an I beam shape, with at least a portion of an exterior surface of the columns being exposed for routine maintenance such as for termite prevention. 
   
   
       25 . A building frame comprising:
 a metal column with flat sides, a pair of spaced-apart parallel flanges extending from at least one side, the flanges each having a plurality of holes, the flanges defining an elongated pocket therebetween with a longitudinal centerline that extends at an acute angle to a horizontal plane;   a wood-product beam with an end shaped to closely fit into the pocket and engage an inside of both flanges; and   fasteners extended through the holes in the flanges and into the beam end for securing the flanges tight against the flanges and to the column with sufficient strength to form a frame joint for the building frame.   
   
   
       26 . The building frame defined in  claim 25 , including a connector mechanically attached to the column, the connector incorporating the flanges. 
   
   
       27 . A method of constructing a building frame comprising steps of:
 providing a plurality of metal columns with preformed holes;   providing a plurality of wood-product beams;   selecting a connector from a plurality of connectors with first and second surfaces;   selectively positioning the first surface of the selected connector matably against a selected area on one of the columns and selectively positioning the second surface matably against an end of a selected one of the wood-product beams;   securing the selected connector to the selected area; and   securing the selected connector to the end of the selected beam.   
   
   
       28 . The method defined in  claim 27 , including cutting a selected column to a desired length. 
   
   
       29 . The method defined in  claim 27 , including cutting a selected beam to a desired length. 
   
   
       30 . A method of constructing a building frame comprising steps of:
 providing a plurality of metal columns with preformed holes;   providing a plurality of wood-product beams;   providing a plurality of different connectors for interconnecting a selected one beam to a selected one column at a desired non-horizontal angle;   cutting the selected beam and selected column to desired lengths; and   selecting a desired connector and connecting the selected beam to the selected column with the selected beam extending at the desired non-horizontal angle.