Modular building capable of being readily assembled

Abstract

A modular building capable of being readily assembled and disassembled comprising rectangular base and roof frames each formed by two longitudinal beams and two lateral beams, the roof frame having a smaller periphery than the base frame. Four columns extend between corners of the base and roof frames, these columns being set back within the periphery of the base frame while having a periphery matching that of the roof frame. The building includes a floor panel having an outer periphery matching the periphery of the roof frame and being dimensioned to rest on inner edge portions of the base frame beams, a roof panel for resting on the roof frame and having an outer periphery at least as large as that of the base frame, and side and end wall panels dimensioned to fit between the base frame beams and the roof panel.

1 . A modular building capable of being readily assembled and disassembled comprising:
 a. a rectangular base frame formed by two longitudinal base beams and two lateral base beams connected at their ends, so that said base beams define a first rectangular periphery;   b. a rectangular roof frame formed of two longitudinal roof beams and two lateral roof beams connected at their ends so that said roof beams define a second rectangular periphery which is less in width and length than said first rectangular periphery;   c. four columns adapted to extend between corners of the base and roof frames and attachable thereto, said four columns, when positioned, having outer surfaces defining a rectangular outer periphery which substantially matches said second rectangular periphery of the roof frame, said columns being set back within the corners of said the first rectangular periphery of the base frame;   d. a floor panel having an outer periphery substantially matching said second periphery, said floor panel being dimensioned to rest on inner edge portions of the base beams;   e. a roof panel for resting on the roof frame and having an outer periphery at least as large in length and width as said first rectangular periphery; and   f. side and end wall panels dimensioned to fit between said base beams and said roof panel with said wall panels resting on outer edge portions of said base beams, said wall panels enclosing outer peripheries both of said four columns and of the roof frame.   
   
   
       2 . A modular building according to  claim 1 , wherein said base beams and roof beams are I beams. 
   
   
       3 . A modular building according to  claim 1 , wherein said columns are I beams having upper and lower end plates at their respective upper and lower ends, said end plates having apertures for bolting to apertures in the roof and base beams. 
   
   
       4 . A modular building according to  claim 3 , wherein said lower end plates of the columns each have four rectangularly positioned bolt apertures, an outer three of said lower end plate apertures being suitable for bolting to apertures in the base beams at a respective corner, and wherein said base beams have a reinforcing corner element attached to the inside of each corner, which reinforcing element has an additional aperture positioned to be bolted to a fourth, inside, aperture of the lower end plate. 
   
   
       5 . A modular building according to  claim 4 , wherein said reinforcing corner element for each corner of the base component is in the form of a tube having sides welded to inner sides of said base beams and having an upper end plate providing said additional aperture. 
   
   
       6 . A modular building according to  claim 5 , wherein said tubes extend down below lower surfaces of said base beams to provide legs for supporting the building. 
   
   
       7 . A modular building according to  claim 1 , wherein said roof frame has apertured lifting lugs fixed to its top surface, each lifting lug being positioned above one of said columns, wherein said roof panel is apertured to accommodate said lifting lugs. 
   
   
       8 . A modular building according to  claim 2 , wherein said roof beams each have, attached thereto, an additional elongated roof member which provides flanges at said second rectangular periphery, which flanges provide locating means for the side and end wall panels. 
   
   
       9 . A modular building according to  claim 8 , wherein said additional elongated roof members are channel members fixed to lower surfaces of said roof beams. 
   
   
       10 . A modular building according to  claim 2 , wherein said base beams each have, attached thereto, an additional elongated base member having a flange suitable for locating the outer periphery of said floor panel. 
   
   
       11 . A modular building according to  claim 1 , wherein said base frame and said roof frame each have one or more additional, intermediate lateral members which meet said longitudinal members at intermediate, reinforced areas, and wherein said intermediate areas of the base and roof frames are connectable by additional columns which have bolt connections to said base and roof beams. 
   
   
       12 . A modular building according to  claim 1 , wherein said base frame has one or more additional longitudinal beams fixed at their ends to said lateral base beams. 
   
   
       13 . A modular building according to  claim 1 , wherein said roof frame has one or more additional longitudinal beams fixed at their ends to said lateral roof beams.